Lateral surface of prostate

The lateral surface of the prostate (Inferolateral surface) is the broad surface of the prostate gland that faces laterally and slightly inferiorly. It joins the anterior surface of the prostate and rests on the levator ani fascia above the urogenital diaphragm. This surface is in close contact with the medial aspect of the levator ani muscle and the endopelvic fascia, which partially engulfs the prostate laterally. The relationship between the prostate capsule and the lateral fascia varies in size and thickness depending on interindividual anatomical variation; in some cases, the fascia does not directly adhere to the prostate capsule, with loose connective and adipose tissue occupying the intervening space.

Clinically, the inferolateral surface is of particular surgical importance because the neurovascular bundle (NVB) composed of numerous nerve fibers superimposed on a scaffold of veins, arteries, and variable amounts of adipose tissue surrounds almost the entire lateral and posterior surfaces of the prostate. These neurovascular structures, located at the posterolateral aspects of the prostate within loose connective and adipose tissue, contain nerve fibers critical for erectile function and are a key consideration during nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.