The McNeal Prostate: A Review

Prostate anatomy has been the subject of controversy for 200 years. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, lobar anatomy was accepted. Beginning in 1968 and for the next 25 years, John E. McNeal presented his view of prostate anatomy in terms of 4 anatomic zones. The transition zone was introduced in 1978 as the site of development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This review was undertaken to describe the evolution of McNeal’s anatomic concepts.