Prostate

My original idea was to have a website about the brain. However, I am interested in other things, as well as the brain. The website started to become a history of the world. However, since I am a man, I decided to have a page devoted to problems unique to men. The prostate gland is only found in men. There are other parts unique to men, but I did not feel that I knew enough about the other parts to give them more than lip service.
In the original book of anatomy by Henry Gray, a brilliant 19th century anatomist, the drawings were by his colleague, Dr. Carter. Carter's drawings were repeated in subsequent versions of the American editions of Gray's Anatomy, but the drawings were changed in British versions. The drawings shown here were from the 20th American edition. Dr. Carter's drawings were made in 1858 from dissections he made with Dr. Gray. Both were from England.

This drawing shows the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra. The urethra carries urine to the penis. During ejaculation the prostate gland is active. Unfortunately a common disease of older men is benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). When the prostate becomes too large it can constrict the urethra.

Shown here is a dissection of the urethra. When the urethra is blocked by the prostate, catheterization is used. A catheter is inserted into the urethra. This enables the urine to flow again.

According to Partin and Rodriguez, vitman A "and its retinoid derivates" and vitamins C, E, and D have "effects on protate growth". "It has long been known that vitamin A can protect against the development of prostate cancer ...". Prostate cancer killed Linus Pauling, but Pauling's view that there are nutritional factors that fight cancer was correct.

Unfortunately prostate hyperplasia (enlargement) results in adverse changes in bladder function. The clipart is from Arthur's website.

There is a drug called "Proscar" that is supposed to shrink the prostate. This is a prescription drug. Urologists treat the prostate as well as the bladder and related parts. Nephrologists treat the kidneys.

This drawing shows the male parts. As can be seen, the prostate is in a position to be a gatekeeper for the bladder. It closes off the bladder during ejaculation. During prostatitis the bladder can be closed off in a pathological manner requiring catherization.

Shown here is Telly Savalas as Lieutenant Kojak in the popular police drama of the 70's. Savalas died of prostate cancer.

Shown is Jerry Lewis in 1964. Although Savalas didn't make it, Lewis survived prostate cancer. He had an operation and became cancer free.

Shown here is the back cover of the video tape of the Disorderly Orderly starring Lewis. At this time Lewis had already broken his partnership with Dean Martin. I greatly admire Lewis because of his unrelenting efforts to raise money for research on musculary dystrophy. The cliparts are from a Jerry Lewis website which sells Jerry Lewis memorabilia.

Flomax is another drug used by urologists. It is supposed to increase the flow of urine when the flow is restricted by an enlarged prostate.