Prostate Flashcards
What is the largest area of the prostate called?
Peripheral zone
Which area of the prostate is palpable by a Digital Rectal Exam?
Peripheral zone
In which area of the prostate do most cancers occur?
Peripheral zone
What is the part of the prostate that surrounds the urethra called?
Transition zone
Which part of the prostate enlarges with benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Transition zone
What is the area behind the transition zone of the prostate called?
Central zone
Which area of the prostate surrounds the ejaculatory ducts?
Central zone
Which area of the prostate contains muscle fibres and fibrous connective tissue but no glands?
Anterior fibromuscular stroma
Why does the prostate make PSA?
It liquefies semen and helps sperm move during ejaculation
What type of enzyme is PSA?
Protease. It cleaves the HMW protein of the seminal coagulum into smaller polypeptides, resulting in the semen becoming less viscous
Why do we test serum PSA?
It’s the best method of detecting localized prostatic cancer and monitoring response to treatment
In which condition other than prostate cancer is PSA increased?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (because PSA is produced by both malignant and benign epithelial prostatic cells)
