Case 14- Histology Flashcards
Relations of the Prostate
The Prostate envelops the prostatic urethra • Superior- bladder • Anterior- pubic synthesis • Posterior- ampulla of the rectum • Inferolateral- levator ani
Lobes of the Prostate
- Isthmus (anterior lobe)- anterior to the urethra, fibromuscular portion with little glandular tissue. The muscle fibres are an extension of the internal urethral sphincter.
- Right and left lobes- glandular portion. Can be subdivided into 4 lobes; inferoposterior, inferolateral, anteriormedial, superomedial.
Arterial supply to the prostate
Primarily the inferior vesicle artery but also the middle rectal and the internal pudendal artery
Venous drainage of the Prostate
The veins form the prostatic venous plexus. The veins drain into the internal iliac veins. The prostatic venous plexus connects with the vesicle venous plexus and the internal vertebral venous plexus. Through this malignant cells can travel.
Sympathetic innervation of the Prostate
Presynaptic innervation originates from the sympathetic trunk at T12-L3
Structure of the Prostate
The prostate is composed of secretory glands and ducts that open into the urethra. Surrounding these ducts is a stroma made up of fibroblasts, collagen and smooth muscle. The glands are surrounded by a fibromuscular capsule, which extend into the prostate as septa which separate the prostate into lobes. There is a thin lamina propria made of smooth muscle and collagen
The glands within the Prostate
- Inner periurethral - open directly into urethra, mucosal glands
- Outer periurethral - small ducts transfer secretion into urethra, submucosal glands
- Main prostatic/external - open into urethra via long ducts, the Peripheral zone glands
The Epithelium of the Prostatic glands
1) Columnar epithelium- tall or cuboidal
2) Flat basal cells in contact with the basal membrane- secretes acid phosphodase, citric acid and amylase
The Epithelium of the Prostatic ducts
Can be columnar or cuboidal. Towards the urethra the epithelium becomes more cuboidal and transitional (like the urethra)
Digital examination of the prostate
Done via the rectum, the malignant prostate feels hard and contains irregular nodules. Easier to palpate with a full bladder.
Enlarged prostates
Can cause urinating difficulties and retention. It may compress the prostatic urethra preventing urination. A suprapubic catheter can be used to drain urine. TURP is a surgical treatment for difficulty urinating with an enlarged prostate without incision.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Most common prostate disorder in older men. Enlargement of the mucosal and submucosal glands and an increase in fibromuscular stroma. The Periurethral glands (PUG) of the middle lobe compress the urethra.
Prostatic Adenocarcinoma
Occurs in glands at the periphery, often advanced before the patient notices
Fibromuscular structure of the cervix
70-80% collagen, 10-15% smooth muscle and <1% elastic fibre.
The 2 anatomical regions of the cervix
The endocervix and the ectocervix. The endocervix is the inner portion of the cervix that connects the uterine cavity to the vaginal cavity. The ectocervix projects into the vaginal cavity.
Microanatomy of the Endocervix
Lined by a single layer of tall columnar epithelium which secrete mucus. Mucus viscosity changes with the stage of the menstrual cycle, i.e. low viscosity at time of ovulation
Microanatomy of the Ectocervix
Stratified squamous epithelium, the cells appear pale due to glycogen
Microanatomy of the cervical stroma
Collagenous structure with some smooth muscle. Proximal cervix contains lots of smooth muscle which decreases towards the distal cervix. Collagen provides strength to the cervix.
Role of the cervical smooth muscle
Acts like a sphincter to maintain pregnancy
Cervical remodelling
Towards labour the cervix breaks down to allow for dilation