Prostate, << PROS tayt, >> gland is an organ of the male reproductive system. It produces a thick whitish fluid that helps transport sperm. All male mammals have some form of prostate gland. In men, this gland sits just below the urinary bladder and directly in front of the rectum. The urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body, passes through the prostate. The gland weighs about 2/3 ounce (20 grams) and is about the size of a walnut. It consists of muscular and glandular tissue with a tough, fibrous covering.
Sperm are produced in the testicles and travel to the prostate through two tubes called the vas deferens. In the prostate, the vas deferens meet the ducts of two fluid-producing glands called seminal vesicles. Fluids produced by the prostate gland and seminal vesicles mix with sperm to form semen. Semen supports sperm and helps carry them out of the body through the urethra.
Enlargement of the prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, is common in men over 50 years old. An enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra and cause frequent urination, difficulty urinating, or other symptoms. Treatment of an enlarged prostate depends on its size and the extent of symptoms. Doctors sometimes treat the condition with drugs. Other treatments destroy excess tissue with heat. In some cases, surgical removal of all or part of the gland is required. Enlargement of the prostate may also be caused by cancer (see Prostate cancer).
