[The terminology of the prostate and its related structures]

The work of McNeal established with precision the different sites of predilection for prostatic carcinomas, benign hypertrophy and inflammation, making the division of the prostate into right, left and (median) lobes and isthmus inadequate for their description. Unfortunately his positional terms (peripheral, central, transition and preprostatic) are not based on the usual parameters and cannot be directly related to those of other workers. It is concluded that, while McNeal's terminology is idiosyncratic, a new terminology should be based on his findings, modified to take some account of those of Tisell and Salander. The provisional recommendation of the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology is that the lobes be called superomedialis, anteromedialis, posteroinferioris and inferolateralis but this is subject to review. Some further suggestions for the final recommendation of the prostate and related structures are made.