Palm

The palm is the broad, non-dorsal surface of the hand between the wrist and fingers. It contains skin, connective tissue, and intrinsic muscles that contribute to grip and finger movement. Nerves and blood vessels run through the palm, and a fatty pad cushions objects held in the hand. The skin bears flexion creases, which become visible when the hand bends and aid in grasping.

Palm trees are a diverse group of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Arecaceae. They are typically tall with unbranched trunks and a crown of large leaves, and they inhabit tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Economically important species include the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Palm oil, derived from Elaeis fruits, is widely used in foods and cosmetics, though its production has been linked to deforestation and habitat loss in some regions. Leaves and fibers are used for thatching and weaving.

In technology, Palm refers to Palm, Inc., a company known for handheld devices such as the Palm Pilot PDAs and the Treo line of smartphones. The firm helped popularize mobile personal organizers and software ecosystems built around the Palm OS. Palm, Inc. was acquired by 3Com in 2000 and later by Hewlett-Packard in 2010, after which the brand and platform were phased out. The Palm name has since been revived under different owners for select devices and accessories.

Palm is a term used for either the hand’s palm or the palms of trees, and appears in compound terms such as palm oil, palm leaves, and palmistry. Context determines its meaning.