The Prostate
Prostate
The Prostate (/ˈprɒsteɪt/ or /ˈproʊsteɪt/) is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. Its primary function is to secrete a fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.
Etymology
The term "prostate" comes from the Greek word "prostates", which means "one standing in front", "protector", or "guardian".
Anatomy
The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine and semen exit the body. The prostate is about the size of a walnut in young men, but it can grow larger as men age.
Function
The prostate's main function is to produce a fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen. This fluid is important for the nourishment and transport of sperm.
Related Terms
- Prostatitis: Inflammation or infection of the prostate gland.
- Prostate cancer: A form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): An enlarged prostate gland that can cause problems with urination.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): A protein produced by the prostate. The level of PSA in the blood can be an indicator of prostate cancer or other conditions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on The Prostate
- Wikipedia's article - The Prostate
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