Location of the bladder and prostate

The bladder is a common organ of the urinary system, while the prostate is an organ of the male reproductive system. Both are relatively important tissues and organs. The prostate and bladder have a certain connection. When there is inflammation of the urinary system or the reproductive system, it often causes damage to the bladder and prostate. The prostate is like a chestnut, with its bottom facing up and attached to the bladder. Let's learn about this below.

Location of the bladder and prostate

Located below the bladder neck and surrounding the junction of the bladder opening and the urethra, this part of the urethra is therefore called the "prostatic urethra", which means that the tube formed in the middle of the prostate constitutes the upper opening of the urethra. It can be said that the prostate guards the upper opening of the urethra, which is why urination is the first thing affected when the prostate is diseased.

Prostate structure

The surface is covered with a very flexible 3-layer structure. The outer layer is composed of loose connective tissue and veins, the middle layer is a fibrous sheath, and the inner layer is a muscle layer. The capsule of the prostate forms a "barrier" that protects the prostate. Matters often have two sides: while the capsule protects the prostate, it also makes it difficult for therapeutic drugs to enter the glandular tissue, which is called the reason for the difficulty in treatment. The prostate is divided into 5 lobes, called the anterior lobe, middle lobe, posterior lobe and lateral lobes. The posterior lobe is located behind the middle lobe and the two side lobes. This is the lobe that the doctor feels during a rectal examination.

The physiological functions of the prostate can be summarized into four aspects.

First, it has exocrine function

The prostate is the largest accessory gland in men and one of the exocrine glands of the human body. It can secrete prostatic fluid, which is an important component of semen, plays an important role in the normal function of sperm and is very important for fertility. The secretion of prostatic fluid is regulated by androgen.

Second, it has endocrine function

The prostate gland is rich in 5α-reductase, which can convert testosterone into more physiologically active dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone plays an important role in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. By blocking 5α-reductase, the production of dihydrotestosterone can be reduced, thereby shrinking the enlarged prostate tissue.

Third, it has the function of controlling urination

The prostate surrounds the urethra, close to the bladder neck, and constitutes the proximal urethral wall. Its circular smooth muscle fibers surround the prostatic part of the urethra and participate in the formation of the internal urethral sphincter. When the urge to urinate occurs, the detrusor muscle contracts and the internal sphincter relaxes, allowing urination to proceed smoothly.

Fourth, it has transportation function

The urethra and two ejaculatory ducts pass through the prostate substance. During ejaculation, the muscles of the prostate and seminal vesicles contract, pressing the contents of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles into the posterior urethra through the ejaculatory ducts and then out of the body. To sum up, the prostate has four important functions and plays an important role in the human body.