Enlarged model of healthy prostate, 4 parts

Anatomically speaking, the model shows the following (mentioned from the top of the model down):

The lower part of the urinary bladder (the ureters are not visible)
The 2 ampulla ductus deferentis (the last piece of the vas deferens)
The 2 vesicula seminalis (the seminal vesicles)
Prostate (bladder neck gland) with small nerves on the outside
The urethra (the part that runs through the prostate and a short section below)
M. sphincter urethrae (around the model's last short piece of urethra below the prostate)




Educational colors



Most prostate models on the market show the entire organ in one color. On this model, there are educational colors, which is why you can focus on the different areas of the gland. Therefore, the model is obvious to focus on the "pathoanatomical" differences between BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer (as well as urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra).



In the prostate, a secretion is formed via many small glands in the tissue. Anatomically, these small glands are located in 3 concentric zones, which are partially shown on the model:



1) The peripheral zone at the very end of the prostate (seen on the model in brown, yellow and orange)

2) The central zone (seen on the model in blue color)

3) The periurethral zone close around the urethra (however, cannot be distinguished from the central zone on the model because they both appear in the same blue color)



Many men are affected by BPH, which is localized to the glands in the periurethral zone. On the model, this corresponds to the part of the blue area closest to the urethra. BPH causes growth of the prostate, which can result in various urinary problems and the risk of pinching off the urethra.



Prostate cancer (prostate cancer), on the other hand, occurs primarily in glands in the peripheral zone. On the model, this thus corresponds to the brown, yellow and orange areas. The fact that the cancer primarily occurs in this "outer part" of the prostate means that urination genes only appear late in cancer development.



Urethral stricture results from a narrowing of the urethra due to scarring of the urethral mucosa. The mucosa is the part of the urethra that is in contact with its lumen, in which the urine resides. The mucous membrane is clearly visible on the model.