Arch Prostate exam answers

Question 1

Blood supply to the prostate (2)

Answer 1

The inferior vesical artery is the major blood supply for the prostate, and it also receives blood supply from the middle rectal and internal pudendal arteries. Veins around the prostate form the prostatic plexus which drains into internal iliac veins.

Question 2

Describe features of the prostatic urethra (4)

Answer 2

The prostatic urethra is the part of the urethra that passes through the prostate. It is about 3-4 cm long and extends between the preprostatic and the membranous part of the urethra.

The posterior part of the prostatic urethra is marked by an elevation known as the urethral crest. The prostatic sinuses are two depressions on each side of the crest where the prostatic ducts empty prostatic fluid into the urethral lumen.

The urethral crest enlarges to form a rounded elevation which is known as the seminal colliculus. In the center of the seminal colliculus is a small indentation, the prostatic utricle, an embryological remnant that is thought to be the homologue of the uterus.

The ejaculatory ducts also open up in the prostatic urethra, on each side of the prostatic utricle. These ducts carry sperm from the testes and fluid from the seminal vesicles into the urethra. Thus the urinary and reproductive tracts merge at this point.

The prostatic urethra is a common site of obstruction to the outflow of urine in patients with benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Question 3

2 complications of prostatic surgery and how they manifest

Answer 3

urinary incontinence (the inability to control your bladder) and erectile dysfunction, or ED (the inability to achieve a full erection). UTI, bleeding, fistula, neuropathic pain due to nerve damage

Question 4

Where PSA comes from (cytologic) and its function

Answer 4

PSA is a member of the kallikrein-related peptidase family and is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland.

PSA is produced for the ejaculate, where it liquefies semen in the seminal coagulum and allows sperm to swim freely. It is also believed to be instrumental in dissolving cervical mucus, allowing the entry of sperm into the uterus.

Question 5

3 structures you would feel on PR exam other than the prostate

Answer 5

Distal rectum, Anal sphincter, seminal vesicles, coccyx

Question 6

2 common bone metastasis sites of prostatic carcinoma

Answer 6

About 80 percent of the time prostate cancer cells metastasize, or spread, they will spread to bones, such as the hip, spine, and pelvis bones