Prostate gland

The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. A healthy human prostate is classically said to be slightly larger than a walnut. It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam.

The secretory epithelium is derived from endoderm of the urethra, and the fibroelastic stroma from surrounding mesoderm. Within the prostate, the urethra coming from the bladder is called the prostatic urethra and merges with the two ejaculatory ducts.