What is the prostate gland for?

The prostate is a small male gland about the size of a walnut. The prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen, often known as the ejaculate. It is situated under the bladder, and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) runs through this gland. The prostate is composed of glands and muscle tissue. Its surface is covered with blood vessels and nerves. It is divided into left and right lobes. In addition, it has 2 ‘zones’ – the transitional zone and the peripheral zone. In the case of prostatic disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is more frequently found in the transitional zone and prostate cancer more frequently in the peripheral zone. A number of hormones control its growth and function, including testosterone. As you get older, the prostate can become enlarged, thereby causing problems with the outflow of urine from the bladder.? For further information see the About the prostate gland page