Question

Akshay’s father had a tumour in his prostate gland. His doctor advised him to get it removed surgically. One side effect of the surgery was incontinence of urine, i.e. leakage of urine from the urinary bladder.

1. Where is the prostate gland located?
2. Why does the prostate gland produce an alkaline secretion?
3. Name the structure that regulates the flow of urine from the urinary bladder into the urethra.

Answer 1

1. In males, the prostate gland surrounds the upper part of the urethra and is situated just below the bladder.
2. In order to balance the acidity of the female vagina and male urethra, the prostate gland secretes a thin alkaline fluid that protects sperm and improves their motility and survival.
3. The sphincter muscle is the structure responsible for controlling this flow.