Benign Enlargement Introduction: Benign enlargement of the prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, is a noncancerous growth of the prostate gland that becomes more common with age. This article explains what BPH is, how the prostate normally grows in two phases during life , and why enlargement often appears late in the second phase. It covers how common BPH is, including estimates for men aged 40 to 64 and those 65 and older, and outlines key risk factors such as age, family history, and certain health conditions. It describes typical lower urinary tract symptoms , how clinicians diagnose BPH with history, physical exam, and tests like urinalysis and PSA, and reviews the main treatment approaches from watchful waiting and medicines to minimally invasive therapies and surgery. What Benign Enlargement Means and Who Develops It The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra — BPH is noncancerous enlargement ...
Prostate gland: what it is, functions and ailments
Introduction: The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system with important roles in fertility and urinary function. This article explains what the prostate is and where it sits in the body, describes its main functions in semen production and hormone metabolism, and outlines the most common ailments that affect it. You will learn about its size, its three anatomical zones, how its muscles work during ejaculation and urination, and the key differences between prostatitis, benign enlargement, and prostate cancer. All information is drawn from publicly accessible, medically reviewed sources cited in the references.
What it is and where it is located
The prostate is a gland about the size of a chestnut and weighs about 30 grams (about 1 ounce). It is part of the male reproductive system and is located inside the body. The prostate is located directly below the bladder and above the muscles of the pelvic floor. The rectum is behind the prostate, making it possible to feel the gland from the rectum using a finger. The ducts in the prostate gland flow into the urethra, which passes through the prostate.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.
The tissue of the prostate gland can be divided into three different zones, listed here from innermost to outermost, which encircle the urethra like layers of an onion. The transition zone is found on the inside of the gland and is the smallest part of the prostate (about 10%). It surrounds the urethra between the bladder and the upper third of the urethra. The central zone surrounds the transition zone and makes up about one quarter of the prostate's total mass. The peripheral zone represents the main part of the prostate gland – about 70% of the tissue mass is part of the peripheral zone.
- Size: roughly chestnut-sized, about 30 grams.
- Location: below the bladder, in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra.
- Structure: three zones – transition (inner), central (middle), peripheral (outer).
Functions and common ailments
The prostate's most important function is the production of a fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen. The muscles of the prostate also ensure that the semen is forcefully pressed into the urethra and then expelled outwards during ejaculation. During ejaculation these muscle cells contract and forcefully press the fluid that has been stored in the prostate out into the urethra.
The prostate has various functions. One part of the semen is produced in the prostate. The prostatic secretion is important for the proper functioning of the sperm cells, and therefore also for fertility in men. The thin, milky liquid contains many enzymes such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This enzyme makes the semen thinner. The hormone-like substance spermine mostly ensures sperm cell motility.
Other functions include closing of the urethra up to the bladder during ejaculation to prevent semen from entering the bladder, closing of the seminal ducts during urination so that urine cannot enter, and hormone metabolism in which the male sex hormone testosterone is transformed to a biologically active form, DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
There are many types of prostate diseases. Prostatitis is inflammation in the prostate gland. It is the most common type of prostate problem in people under age 50. Enlarged prostate is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate gland tends to grow larger with age. That is why enlarged prostate is very common in older people and rare in those who are under age 40. When the prostate grows larger, it may press on your urethra and cause problems with urination. Prostate cancer happens when cancer cells form in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in those aged 50 and older. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause health problems.
The transition zone tissue tends to undergo benign (non-cancerous) growth in old age, known as BPH. If this tissue presses against the bladder and the urethra, it can lead to difficulties urinating. Malignant tumors in the prostate mostly develop in the peripheral zone instead.
Symptoms of prostate problems include needing to urinate a lot, needing to rush to the bathroom but not being able to urinate or only going a little, leaking or dribbling urine, having a weak urine stream, waking up often to urinate, blood in urine, and pain or discomfort while urinating or after ejaculation. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for evaluation. Diagnosis may include medical history, physical exam including digital rectal exam, and tests such as PSA blood test or ultrasound.
- Main functions: produce seminal fluid, aid ejaculation, prevent urine-semen mixing, convert testosterone to DHT.
- Common ailments: prostatitis (inflammation), BPH (benign enlargement), prostate cancer.
- When to seek care: persistent urinary changes, pain, blood in urine, or concerns about prostate health warrant professional evaluation.
Comments
Post a Comment