picture of prostate gland header graphic
Prostate Problem Guide

Pictures Of The Prostate Gland

The prostate gland sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, partially surrounding the urethra which carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Forming part of the male reproductive system, the prostrate is responsible for the production of a clear liquid which makes up about one third of the seminal fluid used to carry and protect the male sperm during intercourse.

prostate doctor image

Throughout early childhood the prostate gland is very small (about the size of a pea) but grows rapidly during puberty in response to the production of the male hormone testosterone.

prostate gland front view

In adults the prostate is about the size of a walnut and weighs around one ounce.

The prostate gland is divided into the three sections known as the peripheral, central and transition sections.

The peripheral section is situated to the rear of the prostate and is the section in which prostatitis and prostate cancer are most likely to develop. The transition section, which lies in the middle of the prostate gland and surrounds the urethra, is the area in which benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is seen.

There are a number of problems associated with the prostate gland and the most common of these is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

prostate gland side view

This condition, which is a growth of non-cancerous cells within the transition section of the prostate, causes an enlargement of the gland and exerts pressure on the urethra which, in turn, leads to difficulties in urinating. Another common problem is prostatitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland.

About half of all men will suffer enlargement of the prostate by the time they reach the age of 60 and, by the age of 80, about ninety percent of the male population will experience an enlarged prostate.

Prostate cancer will also affect a significant percentage of the male population. In 2006 some 237,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and there were some 27,000 deaths from the disease in the United States alone.

Just a sample of the articles from the article section of the site:
10 Commonly Asked Prostate Cancer Questions - Nearly a quarter of a million men in the United States alone will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and for many this will generate a host of questions. Here we look at the 10 most commonly asked prostate cancer questions.

Assessing The Symptoms Of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy - Assessing whether or not you are suffering from benign prostatic hypertrophy and, if you are, selecting an appropriate treatment can be a difficult task. As this article will show however the American Urological Association has a short questionnaire designed to help.

How Effective Is The Prostate Biopsy? - Of the one million prostate biopsies carried out each year in the United States alone as many as one quarter produce false negative results. As a result, it is important to find a way to identify those men for whom a follow-up biopsy is required.

Prostate Cancer Surgery - 3 Forms Of Prostatectomy - Prostate cancer surgery, known as a prostatectomy, is often the first line of defence in early stage prostate cancer and this article looks at the three main forms of surgery performed today.

Robotic Prostate Surgery - The da Vinci System - Advances in technology mean that today robotic prostate surgery is possible combining the benefits of both traditional open surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

Understanding The PSA Prostate Test - The PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is used as just one part of the prostate diagnostic process and this article looks at just what the test is and what information it provides.

Further information on the prostate gland:

Physiotherapy for male incontinence - Mayo Advertiser


Physiotherapy for male incontinence
Mayo Advertiser
After a radical prostatectomy (an operation to remove the prostate gland) stress incontinence is the most common urinary side effect. ...

Cancer: How prostate cancer is affecting men in North America - Helium


Reuters

Ask Dr. H: I feel well, do I need a biopsy? - Philadelphia Inquirer


Ask Dr. H: I feel well, do I need a biopsy?
Philadelphia Inquirer
I question the method of passing biopsy needles from the rectum into the prostate gland. Your thoughts? Answer: No test is perfect. ...

and more »