Objective To observe and describe anatomical types of the pulmonary arteries to keep safety of lung resection. Methods Between November 25, 2005 and January 22, 2013, 194 patients who underwent right upper lobectomy/sleeve lobectomy or combined lung resection including right upper lobectomy were included in Peking University Cancer Hospital. There were 128 males with a median age of 59 (37-86) years and 66 females with a median age of 60 (42-77) years. We separated the pulmonary arteries and recorded the number and positions of them. Some patients were recorded photographically. Results There were 10 types of right upper lobe pulmonary artery branches in this study. Type 1: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 1 ascending segmental artery, 96 patients (49.5%); Type 2: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 48 patients (24.7%); Type 3: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 28 patients (14.4%); Type 4: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 9 patients (4.6%); Type 5: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery only, 6 patients (3.1%); Type 6: 1 apicoanterior segmental artery, 3 ascending segmental arteries, 3 patients (1.5%); Type 7: 4 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 8: 3 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 ascending segmental artery, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 9: 2 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 1 patient (0.5%); Type 10: 3 apicoanterior segmental arteries, 2 ascending segmental arteries, 1 patient (0.5%). Conclusion The types of pulmonary artery branches are predictable in some way. It would be helpful to reduce the risk of pulmonary artery injury and improve the operation safety by following the rules. Variations of pulmonary artery should be noticed to avoid the major bleeding due to the pulmonary artery injury.