What men need to know about the prostate gland and its diseases
Common prostate diseases in men include prostatitis, prostate enlargement, and prostate cancer, each of which we examine in this article. Anatomy of the prostate gland: The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that sits between the bladder and the penis. The bladder outlet passes through the center of the prostate and connects to the penis, allowing the bladder to pass urine through and out of the penis. One of the functions of the prostate is to help control the flow of urine. The prostate also secretes a fluid that is part of the semen and protects sperm. Before ejaculation, the prostate also distributes this fluid in the penile duct to make it easier to ejaculate by creating a slippery state. The normal weight of the prostate is between 20 to 30 grams and its average size is 4x2x3 cm. Common diseases of the prostate gland Prostatitis (swelling of the prostate): This disease is caused by inflammation or infection in the prostate gland and is usually caused by bacteria. In t...