The prostate sits below the bladder, around the urethra (the tube which takes urine away from the bladder). It can be felt through the back passage (rectum). This examination is called a digital rectal examination, or DRE.
Where is it?
The prostate sits below the bladder, around the urethra (the tube which takes urine away from the bladder). It can be felt through the back passage (rectum). This examination is called a digital rectal examination, or DRE. Biopsies of the prostate can also be taken through the rectum.
The prostate can also be reached through the perineum. This is the route that is taken for putting needles into the prostate for some minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer. It can also be reached from above, if the abdomen is cut open. This is the route that may be used if the whole prostate is removed.
What does it do?
The prostate produces about a third of semen (the fluid that is ejaculated at orgasm). About 10% of semen is made up of sperm, and the rest of the fluid comes from the seminal vesicles.
Prostatic fluid contains nutrients for the sperm that it carries, and enzymes which help the sperm to reach the egg, for fertilisation to occur.
