Prostate gland Flashcards
what is the prostate gland?
the largest accessory gland in the male reproductive system
what is the function of the prostate gland?
It secretes proteolytic enzymes into the semen, which act to break down clotting factors in the ejaculate
why is breaking down clotting factors in the ejaculate needed?
allows the semen to remain in a fluid state, moving throughout the female reproductive tract for potential fertilisation
size of prostate?
roughly walnut
composition of the prostate?
Roughly two-thirds of the prostate is glandular in structure and the remaining third is fibromuscular
what is the prostate gland surrounded by?
the fibrous capsule of the prostate
where is the prostate positioned?
inferiorly to the neck of the bladder and superiorly to the external urethral sphincter
where is the levator ani muscle in relation to the prostate?
with the levator ani muscle lying inferolaterally to the gland
posterior to the prostate lies what? significance?
the ampulla of the rectum – this anatomical arrangement is utilised during Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE) by physicians needing to examine the gland
The proteolytic enzymes leave the prostate via what?
the prostatic ducts
what do the prostatic ducts open into?
the prostatic portion of the urethra, secreting the enzymes into the semen immediately before ejaculation
how is the prostate gland divided? what are they divided by?
into anatomical lobes
what are the anatomical lobes of the prostate gland?
inferoposterior, inferolateral, superomedial, and anteromedial
what divides the anatomical lobes of the prostate gland?
urethra and the ejaculatory ducts as they pass through the organ
what are the histological division of the prostate into zones?
central, transitional, peripheral zones
what does central zone of prostate surround?
the ejaculatory ducts
embryological derivative of the central zone of prostate?
from Wolffian duct
transitional zone of prostate location? surrounds?
Located centrally and surrounds the urethra
embryological derivation of transitional zone of prostate?
urogenital sinus
peripheral zone of prostate location?
Makes up the main body of the gland and located posteriorly
embryological origin of peripheral zone?
Urogenital Sinus
what do you feel in DRE?
The peripheral zone is the zone felt against the rectum on DRE
what is situated anterior in the prostate gland?
The fibromuscular stroma
what does the fibromuscular stroma merge with?
tissue of the urogenital diaphragm
what are the histological zones of the prostate important in?
BPH and prostatic carcinoma
The arterial supply to the prostate comes from?
the prostatic arteries
where are the prostatic arteries derived from?
internal iliac arteries
and also internal pudendal and middle rectal arteries
Venous drainage of the prostate is via?
the prostatic venous plexus
where does the prostatic venous plexus drain into?
draining into the internal iliac veins
what else does the prostatic venous plexus connect to posterior?
by networks of veins, including the Batson venous plexus, to the internal vertebral venous plexus
innervation to prostate?
sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory innervation from the inferior hypogastric plexus
innervation of SM of prostate?
by sympathetic fibres, which activate during ejaculation
what is BPH?
the increase in size of the prostate, without the presence of malignancy
what is BPH common with?
advancing age
the enlarging prostate can cause what in BPH?
compresses on both the bladder and the urethra
resulting in men presenting with urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and difficulty in initiating micturition
BPH is usually caused by enlargement from which zone?
transitional zone of the prostate
how does prostatic carcinoma present with?
with similar symptoms as BPH
where do malignant cells of prostatic carcinoma commonly originate from? resulting in?
the peripheral zones, resulting in symptoms presenting late during advanced stages of the disease
how will a DRE be line in prostatic carcinoma?
A DRE may reveal a hard irregular prostate gland
how do malignant cells commonly spread?
via Batson venous plexus to the vertebral bodies and cause metastases
