Vestigial Glands Research Articles

Features of the female prostate according to age: an autopsy study

INTRODUCTION: The prostate gland plays an important role in male and female reproductive system. Data on this organ have not been fully explored in women since its first description, probably because it is considered a vestigial gland. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the morphology of the female prostate with age in autopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two female cadavers, 31 adults and one newborn, underwent dissection of the region corresponding to the prostate for histological analysis. The urethral region was divided into three portions: proximal, median, and distal. All the glands present in the samples were counted. Clinical data were collected, including age and previous diagnosis of menopause. RESULTS: There were no macroscopically visible prostate. Morphological analyses showed glands surrounding the urethra with a stratified epithelium, ranging from squamous to columnar types, with prevalence of basophilic cells and some presenting with secretion inside. A significant correlation with prostate tissue was found between the median and the proximal urethra, as well as between the median and distal urethra, suggesting that when the glandular structures increase in the median region, there is also an increase in the anterior and distal structures. Moreover, a prevalence of the glands in the median urethra was observed in post-menopausal women. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the number of female prostate glands increases after menopause, with proliferative spread and growth of the median portion to the proximal and distal portions.