The Prostate Gland

Question 1

What is the prostate gland?

Answer 1

• a plum-sized gland
• surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder

Question 2

What may happen to the prostate with age?

Answer 2

• it may enlarge, exerting pressure on the urethra
• which slows down the emptying of the bladder

Question 3

What is the function of the prostate gland?

Answer 3

• secretes a fluid

Question 4

What is the function of the fluid secreted by the prostate gland?

Answer 4

• aids the transport of the sperm
• contains enzymes that make sperm more active
• (this fluid makes up about 1/3 of the seminal fluid)