The normal prostate and periprostatic structures: correlation between MR images made with an endorectal coil and cadaveric microtome sections.

This pictorial essay illustrates the normal prostate and periprostatic structures seen on MR images obtained with an endorectal coil and correlates them with anatomic structures identified on serial microtome sections of a frozen human cadaver. The correlation shows that high-resolution MR imaging allows detailed visualization of normal anatomic structures. The ability to identify the normal anatomy and to recognize pathologic alterations provides valuable information concerning clinical decision making for both benign and malignant prostatic disease.