What is Prostate Gland?

The prostate gland is a part of the reproductive system. It is found in all males. It is a muscular gland of apricot size responsible for the production of fluid for ejaculation. The prostate is situated in the pelvis just below the bladder and in young males is about the size of a plum.

This muscular gland weighs around 1 ounce (30 grams) in a male human body. It plays a vital role in maintaining the healthy reproductive system of males.

Being a very important part of the reproductive system, today in this article we will talk all about the prostate glands. Where it is situated, its role in the human body and its surrounding zones. This article will contain all the information about the prostate. The medical problems associated with it and its treatment.

Where it is situated?

The prostate is situated deep in the pelvis just behind the pubic bone. At the base of the pelvis going from the pubic bone to the tailbone is a hammock of muscle supporting all the pelvic organs called a pelvic floor muscles. This muscle is very important in maintaining the ingredients of fluid. It’s just beneath the bladder the rectum or back passage is situated just behind the prostate.

Urine is produced in the kidneys and travels down areas to the bladder where it is stored. When urinating the urine passes from the bladder along the urethra through the prostate and the penis. This is why the digital exam of the prostate is done via feeling the prostate from the rectum the nerves are responsible for erections wrap around the outside of the prostate.

Role of Prostrate

Sperm is produced in the testes and goes along the vas deferens. The seminal vesicle sits behind and within the prostrate viewed is stored here, until the time of ejaculation. The role of the prostate is to produce part of the fluid for ejaculation at the time of orgasm. The sperm and all fluid for ejaculation pass through the channels within the prostate and into the urethra.

Surrounding of the prostate gland

As per the sensation of erections are concerned the nerves which are responsible for reading it generally wraps around the external area of the prostate. The part of the pelvic floor involves a band of muscle which surrounds the urethra which is called a sphincter.

What does sphincter do?

The sphincter is responsible for consonants. The urethra is seen here passing through the prostrate the nerves which are responsible for erections, are within very fine layers of tissues surrounding the prostate called the fascia.

The bladder gradually fills with urine produced by the kidneys. The sphincter acts as a valve preventing leakage, as the bladder fills a sensation of the need to pass urine is created. The urine sphincter continues to prevent leakage until it is convenient and appropriate to pass urine. At the time of passing urine, the bladder contracts and the sphincter relaxes in a coordinated fashion allowing urine to flow down the urethra.

Zones of Prostrate gland

Being surrounded throughout from the connective tissues. These tissues contain various muscle fibers prostate seems to be felt elastic when touched because of the capsules of muscle fibers.

The prostate is often divided into four zones surrounding the urethra like multiple layers of an onion. They are enlisted below from the innermost layer to the outermost layer.

  • Transition zone: it surrounds the urethra by being the smallest part of the prostate. In all men, the transition zone enlarges over time.
  • Intermediate Zone: This zone encircles the ejaculatory ducts. The one- quarter of the total mass of prostrate is made up of intermediate zone.
  • Peripheral Zone: this zone is situated in the back of the gland with the glandular tissue.
  • Frontwards fibromuscular zone (stroma): it is a part of a capsule made up of muscular and fibrous tissue.

General problems faced by people associated with prostrate

  • Prostate cancer

Most prostate cancers develop in the peripheral zone well away from the urethra and therefore do not then to cause any urinary symptoms. Prostate cancer is the number one cancer amongst man in the world. This begins within the ages of the prostrate and can occur in more than one place. It starts to grow inside the prostate first of all and when it gets advanced enough, it starts to go to the lining for ages of the prostate.

Causes:

  • Age – the older you are more likely to get prostate cancer.
  • Ethnicity – usually black men experience this kind of issue.
  • Family history of prostate cancer – usually a father or brother of first-degree relative having prostate cancer can pass on.
  • Family history of breast cancer – those who come from families where they might possess an increased risk of breast cancer.

Signs/symptoms:

Diagnosing this cancer is not an easy task. In fact, in most cases, prostate cancer has no symptoms.

  • Change in urinary symptoms
  • Having difficulty in passing urine.
  • Normal enlargement of the prostate as the male gets older.

Generally, prostate cancer doesn’t cause any symptoms unless it is very advanced in which it can mimic some of the symptoms of an obstructed a large prostate.

Treatment

The treatment options for prostate cancer is very much dependent on what kind of cancer the person has. Diagnosing cancer can be done by size, the grade of cancer and PSA Blood test.

  • First of all the patient should go through a GP test.
  • Then, PSA test – it is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your blood. It is a marker for the presence of prostate cancer however it can be raised in other conditions so it is not very specific marker but it is a first test to determine the existence of prostate cancer.
  • Next can be a prostate biopsy it is the removal of a small sample of tissue for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease.
  • If prostate cancer is determined in the concerned patient then there are much effective treatments are available such as:

SURGERY – the surgery will remove the prostate gland.

RADIOTHERAPY – this is used to deliver high-intensity radiation beams.

MONITORING – to monitor and check the different treatment required.

After treatment patient enters a phase of very close monitoring and readily seen on a regular basis, open with the PSA test measurement being done on a regular interval.

For spread cancer

A common treatment is hormone therapy that serves to keep the core of Cancer under control and sure many coming years of life. Other drugs such as chemotherapies which can be very effective can be done on the basis of the consent of patients.

 

  • Enlarged prostate

When the prostate gets enlarged the process of enlargement is not related to prostate cancer and is a normal part of aging.

Symptoms

This enlargement may compress the urethra making it more difficult to pass urine.

The result is that men may find that they need to get up at night to pass urine.

They may go more frequently and have a poor flow.

Need to rush to the bathroom.

They may feel that they have not completely emptied the bladder.

Treatment

The rates of enlargement of the prostate are about 50% of men better above 60 years and it continues to increase with age. It can be first diagnosed and then treated as per the need.

  • For diagnosing enlargement of the prostate does an examination called PSA test.
  • Or there is an examination called the rectal exam can be done.
  • Ultrasound of the prostate and much frequent urine tests.
  • The treatment of enlargement of prostate starts with medications which can cause shrinkage of the prostate over time.
  • If the patient doesn’t satisfied with medication order don’t want to do medications then there are surgical options available.
  • Prostatitis

Prostatitis is very common with up to 2-10% of men affected at any time. It refers to a group of conditions that usually causes inflammation of the prostate glands are surrounding structures and man IT results in pain or discomfort around the pelvis and a variety of urinary symptoms.

Symptoms

  • The occurrence of pain at the perineum, testicles, penis and lower back.
  • Pain while passing urine or after ejaculation.
  • Urinary frequency or urgency

All these symptoms can last from weeks to months or may lead to erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.

Causes

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Hypersensitive nerves
  • Increase muscle tension
  • Previous infection
  • Changes in diet or climate

Treatment

  • It can be treated with antibiotics.
  • With anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Neuromodulators
  • It is been observed that many patients got well by electro shock wave therapy.

The prostate is effectively a very large gland and it sits between the bladder and urethra. It produces fluid that washes the semen and keeps the sperms healthy for successful fertilization. We hope that after going through this article you hold good knowledge about prostate gland with its medical problems and treatment. It plays a vital role in maintaining reproductive health of a male. While knowing all the facts about the prostate, you mustn’t ignore any such symptoms and may lead to perfect therapy under the consultation of the doctor.