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Do
you suffer from prostate problems?
ANATOMY:
The
prostate is a variable sized gland located in the male pelvis, usually
the size of a walnut measuring 3-4 centimeters long by 3-5 centimeters
in width. On average, the gland weighs about 20 grams. It is found behind
the pubic bone, in front of the rectum, and below the bladder, surrounded
by the pelvic muscles. The prostate surrounds the urethra which carries
urine from the bladder to the penis and travels in the center of the
gland. The seminal vesicles attach to the prostate and produce material
that mixes with prostate fluid to form semen. The tubes from the testicles
carry sperm to the prostate where the sperm are mixed with the prostate
and seminal vesicle fluid. This fluid is then ejaculated during orgasm
by a connection to the urethra called the ejaculatory ducts.
For
many years the prostate was thought to exist in "lobes", however we
now refer to the prostate as having various concentric zones. These
zones are termed: anterior fibromuscular stroma, peripheral zone, central
zone, and transition zone. It is the peripheral zone of the prostate
that a doctor can feel by a finger in the rectum. Almost all prostate
cancers start in the peripheral zone, thus the importance of the rectal
examination. The transition zone generally accounts for less than 5%
of the total prostate volume, however it is the exclusive site for the
development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and may therefore
become massive. The central zone is involved with the connection of
the seminal vesicles to the prostate and is rarely associated with any
disease process. The anterior fibromuscular stroma is the anchoring
point of the urethral sphincter that controls urination; it does not
have any glands and therefore cancer or enlargement does not develop
here.
CELL
TYPES:
The
prostate is made up of several different cell types. Epithelial cells
make up the glandular portion of the prostate and stromal cells make
up the surrounding muscle and connective tissues. Cancer of the prostate
develops from the epithelial cells, but the interaction with the stromal
cells is very important to the behavior and characteristics of the cancer.
BPH develops from the complex interactions between epithelial and stromal
cells. Poorly understood communications between these two very different
cell types are believed to dramatically influence the development of
various prostatic diseases. Testosterone and the hormonal systems interaction
with these cell lines is an extremely active area of cancer research.
PROSTATE
PRODUCTS:
Normal ejaculation produces about 3 cc of semen. The sperm make up less
than 1 percent of the volume, with the seminal vesicles and prostate
producing about 95% of the total volume. The ejaculate is very rich
in unusually high concentrations of potassium, zinc, citric acid, fructose,
and prostaglandins. Many other unusual substances are also found in
the semen. Oral intake of zinc does not alter zinc levels in prostatic
fluid. One idea as to why zinc is found at such high levels in the prostate
is that zinc may provide protection from infection of the prostate.
The significance of many components of prostate fluid is unknown, but
generally thought to be involved with reproduction. Thus the prostate
is essentially an organ for reproduction. Unfortunately, its proximity
and relationship to the bladder and urethra causes major health problems
for men long after the need for reproduction has passed.
SUMMARY:
The human prostate is a remarkable organ that has an essential function
in human reproduction. It is made up of many different cell types that
have complex and poorly understood interactions with each other. The
male hormone testosterone and it related hormones have major roles in
the growth and function of the prostate. The zonal anatomy of the prostate
combines these cellular elements into a beautiful design for efficient
mixing of fluids to allow human reproduction. However, beyond the reproductive
years, this same architecture contributes to many of the health problems
of men as uncontrolled or poorly regulated cellular growth causes damage
to vital bodily functions.
Many
thanks to www.prostatehealth.com for the above information.
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