Editing Prostate (section)

{{Short description|Gland of the male reproductive system}}
{{Hatnote group|
{{For|the journal|The Prostate}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[prostration|prostrate (body position)]]}}
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{{Good article}}
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{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Prostate
| Latin       = prostata
| Greek       = προστάτης
| Image       = Prostatelead.jpg
| Caption     = 
| Precursor   = [[Endodermic evagination]]s of the [[urethra]], [[urogenital sinus]]
| System      = [[Male reproductive system]]
| Artery      = [[Internal pudendal artery]], [[inferior vesical artery]], and [[middle rectal artery]]
| Vein        = [[Prostatic venous plexus]], [[pudendal plexus (veins)|pudendal plexus]], [[vesical venous plexus|vesical plexus]], [[internal iliac vein]]
| Nerve       = [[Inferior hypogastric plexus]]
| Lymph       = [[Internal iliac lymph nodes]]
}}

The '''prostate''' is an [[male accessory gland|accessory gland]] of the [[male reproductive system]] and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between [[urination]] and [[ejaculation]]. It is found in all male mammals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vásquez |first=Bélgica |date=2014-03-01 |title=Morphological Characteristics of Prostate in Mammals |url=https://revistas.uautonoma.cl/index.php/ijmss/article/view/248 |journal=International Journal of Medical and Surgical Sciences |language=en |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=63–72 |doi=10.32457/ijmss.2014.010 |issn=0719-532X |doi-access=free}}</ref> It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and physiologically. Anatomically, the prostate is found below the [[bladder]], with the [[urethra]] passing through it. It is described in [[gross anatomy]] as consisting of lobes and in [[microanatomy]] by zone. It is surrounded by an elastic, fibromuscular capsule and contains glandular tissue, as well as [[connective tissue]].

The prostate produces and contains fluid that forms part of [[semen]], the substance emitted during [[ejaculation]] as part of the male [[human sexual response cycle|sexual response]]. This prostatic fluid is slightly [[Alkalinity|alkaline]], milky or white in appearance. The alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidity of the [[vagina|vaginal tract]], prolonging the lifespan of [[sperm]]. The prostatic fluid is expelled in the first part of ejaculate, together with most of the sperm, because of the action of [[smooth muscle]] tissue within the prostate. In comparison with the few spermatozoa expelled together with mainly seminal vesicular fluid, those in prostatic fluid have better [[sperm motility|motility]], longer survival, and better protection of genetic material.

Disorders of the prostate include [[benign prostatic hyperplasia|enlargement]], [[inflammation]], [[infection]], and [[prostate cancer|cancer]]. The word ''prostate'' is derived from [[Ancient Greek]] {{Transliteration|grc|prostátēs}} ({{lang|grc|προστάτης}}), meaning "one who stands before", "protector", "guardian", with the term originally used to describe the [[seminal vesicles]].