Prostate Enlargement Essay

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Your Prostate Gland The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to store and secrete a clear fluid that constitutes up to one-third of the volume of semen. • A healthy prostate is slightly larger than a walnut. • It is situated in front of the rectum, just below the bladder where urine is stored, and surrounds the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the body. • The gland functions as part of the male reproductive system by producing the white fluid that contains semen. • The prostate also contains smooth muscle that helps expel semen during ejaculation; thus, prostate problems can lead to impotence. The prostate gland has four distinct glandular regions: 1. The Peripheral Zone (PZ) - The sub-capsular portion of the posterior aspect of the prostate gland which surrounds the distal urethra and comprises up to 70% of the normal prostate gland in young men. It is from this portion of the gland that more than 70% of prostatic cancers originate. 2. The Central Zone (CZ) - This zone constitutes approximately 25% of the normal prostate gland and surrounds the ejaculatory ducts. Central zone tumors account for more than 25% of all prostate cancers. 3. The Transition Zone (TZ) - This zone is responsible for 5% of the prostate volume and very rarely is associated with carcinoma. The transition zone surrounds the proximal urethra and is the region of the prostate gland which grows throughout your lifetime. It is involved in benign prostatic enlargement. 4. The Anterior Fibro-muscular zone - This zone accounts for approximately 5% of the prostatic weight, is usually devoid of glandular components, and composed only, as its name suggests, of muscle and fibrous tissue. Prostate Disorders Three types of disorders can occur in the prostate gland: inflammation or infection (prostatitis), enlargement (benign

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