[cbarnes99]

The urethra is routed through the prostate specifically because it needs to occlude it during sex. The prostate swells during an erection to obstruct the urethra and significantly reduce the likelihood of a bacterial infection in the bladder. It's a very important function.

[tsoukase]

Amazing. I didn't know that. Prostate in Greek means Protector and took its name from it's role. Ages ago this function was known.

[jgalt212]

Your statement implies the ancient Greeks discovered the functionality and named this organ.

[tsoukase]

No, I was wrong. Medical history says that it was discovered in the 16th c and initially was named Parastate, meaning a "helper" gland. Later the name changed by chance to Prostate and stays revevant as it was later found that it's role is also protective.