What is the prostate?
The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. It wraps around the upper part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Its position near urinary and sexual organs means that certain prostate problems can affect urination and sexual function. The prostate consists mostly of connective and glandular tissues, and it produces a thick, milky-white fluid that forms part of the semen, the liquid ejaculated during sexual activity. To function properly, the prostate requires adequate amounts of certain hormones, including testosterone, produced by the testicles, as well as others from the pituitary and adrenal glands.
Location of the prostate gland
The prostate gland, about the size of a walnut, produces fluid that forms part of the semen that is ejaculated during sexual activity. The prostate is located adjacent to the rectum and just below the bladder, and wraps around the upper part of the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder out of the body. |
Normal vs. enlarged prostate
Roll your cursor over the image to see an enlarged prostate and a distended bladder. Prostate enlargement blocks the flow of urine from the bladder by narrowing the urethra. |
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