The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, wrapped around the upper part of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).

Where the prostate sits

  • The prostate lies at the base of the bladder, like a “collar” around the first segment of the urethra.
  • It is directly in front of the rectum, which is why a doctor can feel it with a finger during a rectal exam.

How big it is and how it feels

  • In adults, the prostate is usually about the size of a walnut and has a soft, rubbery consistency.
  • It tends to enlarge with age, which can press on the urethra and cause urinary symptoms such as weak stream or needing to pee more often.

How it can be felt (for exams)

  • From the outside, it lies behind the skin between the genitals and the anus (the perineum), but it is usually assessed through the rectum.
  • During a digital rectal exam, a clinician inserts a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum; the prostate is typically felt about 2–3 cm inside, toward the front of the body.

What the prostate does

  • The prostate makes a fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen, helping protect and nourish sperm.
  • Its muscles also help push semen into the urethra during ejaculation, acting as a key part of the male reproductive system.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.