Brief introduction of four physiological functions of prostate

Prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate is just in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body. This gland is very important. It has close connection with male fertility and urination. Once prostate is affected by infection, not only the physiological functions of prostate can be affected, but also symptoms like painful or difficult urination, pain in the groin, pelvic area or genitals can be experienced by men.

Since prostate is so important, what do the physiological functions of prostate gland have?

Prostate, as the biggest auxiliary sexual gland of men, is important for men’s reproductive ability. Prostatic fluid discharged by prostate gland is an important component of semen, because it can nourish and transport sperm. The discharge of prostatic fluid is controlled by male hormone.

As I mentioned before, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate gland which is close to bladder neck and around the urethra is a part of the proximal urethra wall. What’s more, by surrounding the urethra with its circular smooth muscle fibers, prostate gland is also a part of urethral sphincter. Therefore, when there is an urge of urinating, with the contraction of detrusor and the relaxation of internal sphincter, urinating happens.

Clinically, there are two ejaculatory ducts passing through the prostate, so when there is ejaculation, with the muscle contraction of prostate and seminal vesicle, the materials in ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicle can be pressed into posterior urethra and then pushed out of body.

Prostate is full of 5α-reductase. This reductase can convert the testosterone into dihydrotestosterone which is more active on physiology. Because dihydrotestosterone plays an important role in the appearance of benign prostatic hyperplasia, to cure the benign prostatic hyperplasia, men need to reduce the production of dihydrotestosterone by stopping the discharge of 5α-reductase.