The helicine branches of uterine artery (or helicine arterioles, or spiral arteries) are small arteries which temporarily supply the endometrium of the uterus during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In histology, identifying the presence of these arteries is one of the most useful techniques in identifying the phase of the cycle.
Comment:
Notes: The straight branches of the radial arteries of the uterus terminate in capillaries in the basal layer, while the spiral or coiled branches penetrate to the surface epithelium
Synonyms:
exact_synonym:
arcuate artery of uterus; helicine artery of uterus; rami helicini uterinae