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The Prostate Gland

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Basics of Human Andrology

Abstract

  • Development and gross anatomical features

  • Lobes and zones

  • Microstructure and functional regulation

  • Components of prostatic fluid

  • Disorders of prostate gland

The name ‘prostate’ is originally derived from a Greek word ‘prohistani’ (means ‘to stand in front of’). The prostate is the largest accessory sex gland of males. It is a musculo-glandular, exocrine gland that secretes alkaline fluid which constitutes about 20–30 % volume of the seminal fluid. Changes in the prostatic fluid composition and/or secretion affect sperm functions and may lead to male infertility. The gland is often associated with disorders of elderly, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and carcinoma.

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Correspondence to Mona Sharma MD, DNB, MAMS .

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Sharma, M., Gupta, S., Dhole, B., Kumar, A. (2017). The Prostate Gland. In: Kumar, A., Sharma, M. (eds) Basics of Human Andrology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3695-8_2

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