Urology: Prostatic Cancer Flashcards
what can be found superior to the prostate?
neck of the bladder
what can be found inferior to the prostate?
external urethral sphincter
which muscle can be found inferlaterally to the gland?
levator ani
what can be found posterior to the gland?
ampulla of the rectum
what does the prostate secrete?
proteinlytic enzymes
where do the prostatic ducts open?
prostatic portion of the urethra on each side of the seminal colliculus
3 zones of the prostate
- central zone
- transitional zone
- peripheral zone
what happens at the central zone?
- it surrounds the ejaculatory ducts
- the ducts of the glands from the zone empty obliquely into the prostatic urethra
what happens at the transitional zone?
- surrounds the urethra
- these are the glands that traditionally are involved in BPH
what happens at the peripheral zone?
- ducts from this area empty vertically which can permit urine reflux
- this is the zone that can be felt in a DRE
what is the fibromuscular stroma?
- situated anteriorly in the gland
- merges with the tissue of the urogenital diaphragm
how is the prostate vascularised?
- prostatic arteries (from the internal iliac arteries)
- prostatic venous plexus, draining into the internal iliac vein
how is the prostate innervated?
the inferior hypogastric plexus supplies sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory innervation
- the smooth muscle is innervated by the sympathetic fibres
why are the neighbouring neurovascular bundles important?
- these go to the penis, to supply blood and innervation to the corpora cavernose, which are important for a normal erection
- these might be damaged during radical prostatectomy
what is the most common type of prostate cancer?
adenocarcinoma
