The Prostate gland
- function, location and description.
Ask "What is the prostate
gland?" to a group of men and you're likely to get a
good laugh. Most won't have a clue and, sadly, those who
are able to explain the what, where and how's of the prostate
gland have probably learned because they have prostate
problems or because they watch senior golf on TV. The
American Cancer Society estimates that in 2003, almost
30,000 men will die of prostate cancer.
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The good news is that the
death rate attributable to prostate disease is
trending lower. Greater public
awareness due to some high profile cases has
certainly led more men to be examined.
So, again, what is the prostate
gland?
Prostate
Description:
The
prostate gland is shaped like a donut,
weighs about
an ounce and is the size of a
chestnut. It consists 30%
muscular tissue and 70% glandular
tissue.
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Click to enlarge. |
Prostate
Location:
The prostate gland is just
below the bladder, behind the pubic bone
and just in front of the rectum. The
prostate wraps around the urethra, which
is the tube that carries urine from the
bladder to the penis.
Prostate Gland
Function:
The prostate helps to
control the flow of urine.
During sexual
activity, the
seminal vesicles that are attached to the
prostate produce a protein that mixes
with prostatic fluid which forms
semen. The tubes from the testicles
carry sperm up to the prostate where
sperm is mixed with the seminal vesicle
and prostatic fluids. This fluid is
ejaculated during orgasm through
ejaculatory ducts that connect to the
urethra.
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Most men will experience some type of prostate problem
during their lifetime. Men over forty-five may
experience an enlargement of the prostate. While not a
problem in itself, it is uncomfortable and can lead
to more serious problems.
The prostate actually continues to grow throughout life, but
grows very slowly after the age of twenty-five.
Enlargement of the prostate gland is part of the normal aging
process and usually does not become a
serious problem until about age sixty.
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