Half of all men over the age of 50 either have or will have problems related to the prostate gland. Amazingly, one in six males are likely to develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Though preventative measures can be taken to lower this risk, the focus of this article will be strictly related to the function of the prostate.

The prostate is a gland about the size and shape of a walnut. It is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder and it surrounds the urethra that carries urine from the body. The prostate is an exocrine gland, so called because it secretes fluids through ducts to the outside of the body as sweat glands do. These fluids form part of semen and are stored with sperm in the seminal vesicles located behind the bladder. When the male climaxes, muscular contractions cause the prostate to secrete this fluid into the urethra, where it is expelled from the body through the penis.

In addition to the prostate’s role in producing these fluids, it also plays a part in controlling the flow of urine. The prostate wraps itself around the urethra as it passes from the bladder to the penis. Muscular fibers in the prostate contract to slow the flow of urine.