Prostate Gland

About the Prostate Gland

The prostate is a walnut sized gland approximately 20 grams surrounding the urethra below the bladder in males. Its secretions make up roughly a quarter to a third of semen volume. Prostatic fluid is alkaline to neutralize vaginal acidity, contains prostate specific antigen PSA liquefying semen, citrate for energy, zinc for antibacterial protection, and proteolytic enzymes. The prostate has central, transitional, and peripheral zones. BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia in the transitional zone causes urinary symptoms frequency, urgency, weak stream, nocturia that become increasingly common with age. Prostate cancer in the peripheral zone is the second most common cancer in men. Blood PSA testing and digital rectal examination DRE are used to look for prostate abnormalities, and the value of routine PSA based screening remains debated. The prostate grows throughout life under androgen influence.