The blood vessels of the M.tensor fasciae latae,the iliotibial band and itsoverlying skin were dissected and measured in 30 lower limbs of 15 adult fresh ca-davers,the results were as follows:1.The branches of the lateral femoral circumflex artery may be classified intofour types:three-branch type(60.00%?8.94),dispersion type(20.00%?7.30),poly-branch type(10.00%?5.48)and two-branch type(10.00%?5.48).Amongthem,the three-branch type,which is divided into the ascending,transverse,anddescending branches,is the most common one.The caliber of the ascending branchis 2.22?0.09mm with a length of 2.70?0.22cm.The caliber of transverse branchis 2.16?0.07 mm with a length of 2.12?0.17cm.The caliber of descending branchis 2.87?0.11 mm with a length of 6.95?0.68cm.All of the three accompanyingveins consisted of vanae comitantes,the caliber and length of the vein are approxi-matly the same as those of the artery.2.The M.tensor fasciae latae is supplied by its main artery,which comes fromthe ascending branch of the lateral circumflex artery(90.00%?25.49).In a fewcases,it comes from the transverse branch(6.66%?4.55)or the deep femoralartery(3.33%?3.27).The caliber of the main artery of M.tensor fasciae latae is1.64?0.05 mm,and its length is 2.71?0.24 cm.The ascending branch and themain artery together make the vascular pedicle which length is 5.55?0.32 cm.Thecaliber and the length of the pedicle is large enough for ideal microsurgical vasanastomoses.3.The iliotibial band is supplied by the tractocutaneous artery,which comesfrom the perforating branch of myocutaneous artery of vastus lateralis and thedescending branches of lateral circumflex artery.It perforates the iliotibial bandand reaches to the subcutaneous tissues to supply the iliotibial band and its overly-ing skin.4.The skin territory of the M.tensor fasciae latae and iliotibial band issupplied by the pure cuteneous artery,the perforating branches of myocutaneousartery and the tracto-cutaneous artery.The main artery enters the muscle and sendsperforating branches into the overlying skin.All the three kinds of cutaneousarteries form abundant anastomoses in subcutaneous tissues.For this reason,if themain artery anastomoses with the artery of the host,an area in dimensions up to15?35 cm~2 of skin would survive in the anterolateral thigh.

Thirty two upper limbs of 16 adult fresh cadavers were studied.Suspension ofbarium sulfate in red latex were injected prior to medial arm flap dissection.Thearm flaps were observed and measured under the magnifying spectacles(3X),and X-ray photographs were taken.The main results obtained are summarized as follows:1.In 30 specimens,there are 386 branches arising from the brachial artery——pure cutaneous branches(67,17.36?1.93%),pure muscular and myocutaneous branches(186,48.182?2.54%)and mixed branches(133,34.46?2.42%).2.The brachial profundal artery arises from the brachial artery about 2 to 3cm.below the lower margin of pectoralis major.The caliber of the artery is 2.22?0.14mm.It supplies the triceps brachii and the skin of medial and dorsal surfaceof the upper part of arm.3.The superior ulnar collateral artery arises from the brachial artery about 6cm,below the lower margin of the pectoralis major.The caliber of the artery is1.71?0.08mm.It supplies the long and medial head of Triceps Brachii and the skinof middle and lower part of arm.It is a main artery of medial arm flap.4.The inferior ulnar collateral artery arises from the brachial artery about 18cm,below the lower margin of pectoralis major.The caliber of the artery is 1.50?0.07mm.5.The myocutaneous artery of biceps brachii arises from the brachial arteryabout 8cm,below the lower margin of pectoralis major.The caliber of the artery is1.63?0.13mm.It gives off a larger cutaneous artery.6.An abundance of anastomoses is formed by these cutaneous arteries and arich network of arteries may be seen.The caliber of some of the cutaneous arteries isabove 1mm.7.The venous drainage consisted of venae comitants.The medial arm flap is generally thin,soft and non-hair-bearing,the caliberand length of the pedicles of the arteries are large enough for microsurgical vasoanas-tomosis.It is a suitable donor site for free transfer of skin flap and the optimaldimension is 8?20cm.