The prostate is a muscular walnut-sized gland of dense consistency that is tightly attached to the base of the bladder. It surrounds the proximal part of the urethra, and it is located in the true pelvis behind the pubic symphysis.

The urethra travels through the center of the prostate, and it is the location for openings of the prostate glandular ducts. Through the prostate, more on its posterior part, the left and right ejaculatory ducts go.

The prostate is about 4 cm wide, 3 cm long, 2 cm thick, and weighs about 20 g.

The size depends on the age - it is small in children, fully developed by age 17, and can be enlarged in older individuals.

The prostate has the base and apex:

The base of the prostate - pointed upwards, attached to the fundus of the bladder;
Apex - pointed forward and downwards, attached to the urogenital diaphragm.

It also has several surfaces - anterior, posterior, and two lateral on both sides of it. The posterior surface of the prostate adheres to the rectum.

The prostate consists of smooth muscle, glandular epithelium, and connective tissue. The external surface is covered by a connective tissue capsule.

The prostate has several functions:

It produces alkaline secretions (high in protein content), which mix with sperm and increase the survival and activity of spermatozoa.
It functions as an independent sphincter to limit the flow of urine during ejaculation.
It contains a small number of endocrine cells that produce androgens and regulate the function of the testis.

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Prostate