Helicine arteries of penis

Arteries of the penis

Helicine arteries of penis

Diagram of the arteries of the penis.

Details
Identifiers
Latin| arteriae helicinae penis
TA98| A09.4.01.024
TA2| 4351
FMA| 75410
Anatomical terminology

[edit on Wikidata]

The helicine arteries of penis are arteries in the penis. They are found in the corpora cavernosa penis.[1]

They are involved in the process of erection.[2]

## Structure[edit]

On entering the cavernous structure from the deep artery of the penis the arteries divide into branches, which are supported and enclosed by the trabeculae. Some of these arteries end in a capillary net-work, the branches of which open directly into the cavernous spaces; others assume a tendril-like appearance, and form convoluted and somewhat dilated vessels, which were named by Rosenmüller "helicine arteries".

## Clinical significance[edit]

These arteries have two unique features: an intimal cushion and valves. Sympathetic stimulation maintains a tonic contractile state of the intimal cushion, a smooth muscle lying in the center of the artery. This keeps the artery coiled, and little blood flow occurs, instead routing to arteriovenous shunts to the deep dorsal vein. Parasympathetic stimulation removes the tonic state and allows vasodilation of the intimal cushion. Blood now pools in the corpora cavernosa, resulting in erection. The valves prevent backflow in the now-tortuous route through the cavernosa.

This parasympathetic relaxation response is mediated by a release of nitric oxide (NO). NO binds to the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP in turn triggers relaxation of the smooth muscle and results in dilation of blood vessels. This signal is terminated when cGMP is broken down by the enzyme cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), the enzyme that is targeted by sildenafil and other drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. By preventing PDE5 from breaking down cGMP, the effects of NO are amplified and vasodilation occurs, thus resulting in increased penile erection.

## References[edit]

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1251 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. ^ Böck P, Gorgas K (September 1977). "Morphology and histochemistry of helicine arteries in the corpora cavernosa penis of mice". Arch Histol Jpn. 40 (4): 265–81. doi:10.1679/aohc1950.40.265. PMID 597004.
2. ^ "helicine arteries of penis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary

## External links[edit]

* Slide at okstate.edu

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Arteries of the abdomen and pelvis

Abdominal
aorta|

| Inferior phrenic|

* Superior suprarenal

|

Celiac|

| Left gastric|

* Esophageal branches

|

Common hepatic|

* Proper hepatic
* cystic
* Right gastric
* Gastroduodenal
* right gastroepiploic
* superior pancreaticoduodenal
* supraduodenal

Splenic|

* Pancreatic branches
* greater
* dorsal
* Short gastrics
* Left gastroepiploic

Superior mesenteric|

* Inferior pancreaticoduodenal
* Intestinal
* jejunal
* ileal
* arcades
* vasa recta
* Ileocolic
* colic
* anterior cecal
* posterior cecal
* ileal branch
* appendicular
* Right colic
* Middle colic
* Marginal

Suprarenal|

* Middle suprarenal

Renal|

* Inferior suprarenal
* Ureteral

Gonadal|

* Testicular artery
* Ovarian artery

Lumbar|

* Lumbar arteries

Inferior mesenteric|

* Left colic
* Marginal
* Sigmoid
* Superior rectal

Common iliac|

| Internal iliac|

| Posterior surface|

| Iliolumbar|

* Lumbar branch
* Iliac branch

|

Anterior surface|

| Superior vesical artery|

* Umbilical artery
* Medial umbilical ligament
* to ductus deferens

|

Obturator|

* Anterior branch
* Pubic branch
* Posterior branch
* Acetabular branch
* Cruciate anastomosis
* Corona mortis

Middle rectal|

* Vaginal branch ♀ / Prostatic branch ♂

Uterine ♀|

* Arcuate
* Vaginal branches
* Ovarian branches
* Tubal branches
* Spiral

* Vaginal ♀ / Inferior vesical ♂

Inferior gluteal|

* Accompanying of sciatic nerve
* Cruciate anastomosis

Internal pudendal|

* Inferior rectal
* Perineal
* posterior scrotal
* posterior labial
* Bulb of penis/vestibule
* Urethral
* Deep artery of the penis
* helicine
* Deep artery of clitoris
* Dorsal of the penis
* Dorsal of the clitoris

External iliac|

* Inferior epigastric
* Corona mortis
* Deep circumflex iliac
* Femoral
* see arteries of lower limbs

Median sacral|

* Coccygeal glomus

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* Anatomy

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* Terminologia Anatomica

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