ABSTRACT
The arteries of thirty human adult upper extremities, injected with red lead oxide, were treated with angiography, sectional dissection and photography. A microcomputer was used to determine the positions of the vessels and reconstruct the arterial system of the hand.The arteries of the palm are arranged in 2 or 3 layers. The area of three layers were only observed in the middle portion of the palm. The divisions of the territories of the radial and ulnar arteries are not the same in different layers. The anastomotic branches in the palmo-dorsal direction are usually observed in the third, fifth and seventh sections. There are three chief anastomotic channels between the radial and ulnar arteries in the palm, i.e. the deep palmar arch, the superficial palmar arch and a third pathway. The patterns of the blood supply in the palm and its clinical significance have also been discussed.