prostate
(noun)
A compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals.
Examples of prostate in the following topics:
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Prostate Disorders
- The common prostate disorders are: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and prostate cancer.
- The most common prostate disorders are: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and prostate cancer.
- For men under 50, the most common prostate problem is prostatitis.
- Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland.
- High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, abbreviated HGPIN, is an abnormality of prostatic glands and believed to precede the development of prostate adenocarcinoma (the most common form of prostate cancer).
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Accessory Sex Glands
- The excretory duct of the seminal gland opens into the vas deferens as it enters the prostate gland.
- The prostate surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam.
- Within the prostate, the urethra coming from the bladder is called the prostatic urethra and merges with the two ejaculatory ducts.
- The prostate also contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation.
- However, dihydrotestosterone regulates the prostate.
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Urinary Incontinence
- Enlarged prostate is the most common cause of incontinence in men after the age of 40; sometimes prostate cancer may also be associated with urinary incontinence.
- Moreover drugs or radiation used to treat prostate cancer can also cause incontinence.
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Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
- They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands.
- Prostate gland: A walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum.
- Bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands: Pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland.
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Semen
- During the process of ejaculation, sperm pass through the ejaculatory ducts and mix with fluids from the seminal vesicle, the prostate, and the bulbourethral glands to form semen.
- The prostatic secretion, influenced by dihydrotestosterone, is a whitish (sometimes clear), thin fluid containing proteolytic enzymes, citric acid, acid phosphatase, and lipids.
- After about 15–30 minutes, a prostate-specific antigen present in the semen causes the decoagulation of the seminal coagulum.
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Surgical Sterilization
- Vasectomy (male): The vasa deferentia, the tubes which connect the testicles to the prostate, are cut and closed .
- This prevents sperm produced in the testicles from entering the ejaculated semen (which is mostly produced in the seminal vesicles and prostate).
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Levator Ani Injury and Urinary Stress Incontinence
- Enlarged prostate is the most common cause of incontinence in men after the age of 40.
- Sometimes prostate cancer may also be associated with urinary incontinence.
- Moreover, drugs or radiation used to treat prostate cancer can also cause incontinence.
- Men tend to experience incontinence less often than women due to the structure of the male urinary tract, although it is common with prostate cancer treatments.
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Urinary Bladder Cancer
- It is superior to the prostate, and separated from the rectum by the rectovesical excavation.
- These signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, and are also caused by non-cancerous conditions, including prostate infections, over-active bladder, and cystitis.
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Male Sexual Response
- The muscles of the pelvic floor, the ductus deferens (between the testes and the prostate), the seminal vesicles, and the prostate gland may begin to contract in a way that forces sperm and semen into the urethra inside the penis.
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Penis
- Fluids are added by the seminal vesicles before the vas deferens carries the sperm to the ejaculatory ducts, which join the urethra inside the prostate gland.
- The prostate as well as the bulbourethral glands add further secretions, then the semen is expelled through the penis.
- It is usually the result of sexual stimulation, including prostate stimulation.