Male genital tract

Question 1

What are the functions of the prostate?

Answer 1

• Has contractile properties
• Helps close off bladder neck during climax
• Fluid properties of semen
• Nutritive role for sperm cells - helps keep them alive (in vagina environment)
• Buffer vaginal acidity

Question 2

Describe the anatomy of the prostate

Answer 2

• The prostate can be divided into biologically distinct regions, the most important of which are the peripheral and transition zones (zone mostly responsible for causing problems with urine flow abnormalities due to hyperplasia). The types of proliferative lesions are different in each region. For example, most hyperplastic lesions arise in the inner transition zone, while most carcinomas arise in the peripheral zones.
• Also have central zone, peripheral zone, and anterior fibromuscular stroma

Question 3

Describe the benign prostatic hyperplasia - include symptoms, complications, and treatments.

Answer 3

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an extremely common cause of prostatic enlargement resulting from the proliferation of stromal and glandular elements.
- Incidence rises rapidly >40y
- 2-5x normal weight
- Transitional zone
- Age-related hormone changes
- Urinary obstruction
1. Symptoms: Frequency, urgency, nocturia (pee more often, wake up in the middle of the night). Decreased force of urinary stream.
2. Complications: Bladder hypertrophy, dilation. Urinary stone formation.
3. Treatment:
-> Medications: Relax smooth muscle (selectively target). Hormonal (anti-androgen) - target androgen receptors
-> Surgery: Trans-urethral procedures - loop carves out the constricting areas of the prostate tissue