Reflections and suggestions on the nomenclature of the prostate

The prostate has been given different and contradictory nomenclatures. The nomenclature of the normal prostatic gland must allow for the concepts of comparative anatomy, human anatomy and pathologic anatomy. The object of this study, based on a review of the literature, is to analyse the discordant terminologies, which give rise to misunderstandings, and to suggest a simple nomenclature conformant to anatomic rules and the descriptions of leading authors. It seems necessary to suggest a schema utilising the studies of comparative anatomists and the original descriptions of Albarran and correlating all this information. One must distinguish between the prostate, the prostatic gland and the periprostatic fibromuscular tissue. The central glands are those situated at the center of the prostate in the urethral wall. The prostatic glands themselves are found around the urethra. Within these glands there is a distinction between the cranial glands situated around the ejaculatory ducts, which drain above the seminal colliculus, and the caudal glands situated below the ejaculatory ducts which drain into the urethra below the colliculus. Between the wall of the urethra which contains the central glands and the peripheral glands is the transitional zone.