The Prostate Gland: An Overview:
Anatomy:
The prostate gland is shaped as an inverted cone in which the apex is pointing downward, the base is referring upward, and the midgland is sandwiched in between. In an antro-posterior view, the gland lies with its long axis parallel to the anterior rectal wall. It is bordered superiorly by the bladder (ventrally) and the seminal vesicles (dorsally), and inferiorly by the urogenital diaphragm (Jung and Westphalen, 2012).
The prostate is separated from the rectum posteriorly by the Denovillier fascia that is 2-3mm in thickness. It is bordered laterally by the obturator interni muscles superiorly, the levator ani muscles inferiorly, and the pubic symphysis and the Santorini plexus of veins anteriorly (Jung and Westphalen, 2012).
The prostate gland is generally divided into two components: nonglandular and glandular (McNeal, 1980; Myers et al., 2010). The nonglandular part consists of the fibromuscular stroma that is anteriorly located to the urethra-and is a common site of cancers-and the proximal prostatic urethra extending from the central prostate base to the midgland (where the ejaculatory ducts …show more content…
In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 6 males- with median age of 68- will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that it will be the cause of mortality in approximately 1 in 34 males (Jemal et al., 2007). Blacks are 40% at higher risk of developing the disease and the rate of mortality in this group is doubled compared to other ethnic groups (Jemal et al., 2007). Fortunately, mortality rate of prostate cancer has been steadily declining over the last two decade. Studies have shown that between the years of 1999 and 2003, the disease has bee decreasing by 4% each year (Jemal et al., 2007). This decrease is attributable to the new advances in early detection methodologies, diagnostic modalities and treatment options (Walsh et al.,
Anatomy:
The prostate gland is shaped as an inverted cone in which the apex is pointing downward, the base is referring upward, and the midgland is sandwiched in between. In an antro-posterior view, the gland lies with its long axis parallel to the anterior rectal wall. It is bordered superiorly by the bladder (ventrally) and the seminal vesicles (dorsally), and inferiorly by the urogenital diaphragm (Jung and Westphalen, 2012).
The prostate is separated from the rectum posteriorly by the Denovillier fascia that is 2-3mm in thickness. It is bordered laterally by the obturator interni muscles superiorly, the levator ani muscles inferiorly, and the pubic symphysis and the Santorini plexus of veins anteriorly (Jung and Westphalen, 2012).
The prostate gland is generally divided into two components: nonglandular and glandular (McNeal, 1980; Myers et al., 2010). The nonglandular part consists of the fibromuscular stroma that is anteriorly located to the urethra-and is a common site of cancers-and the proximal prostatic urethra extending from the central prostate base to the midgland (where the ejaculatory ducts …show more content…
In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 6 males- with median age of 68- will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that it will be the cause of mortality in approximately 1 in 34 males (Jemal et al., 2007). Blacks are 40% at higher risk of developing the disease and the rate of mortality in this group is doubled compared to other ethnic groups (Jemal et al., 2007). Fortunately, mortality rate of prostate cancer has been steadily declining over the last two decade. Studies have shown that between the years of 1999 and 2003, the disease has bee decreasing by 4% each year (Jemal et al., 2007). This decrease is attributable to the new advances in early detection methodologies, diagnostic modalities and treatment options (Walsh et al.,