The definition, classification and degradation mechanism of biodegradable polymeric materials were briefly introduced. Application fields of the biodegradable polymeric materials especially in the controlled drug release material, surgical seam and tissue engineering were more comprehensively expounded. 简要介绍了生物降解高分子材料的定义、分类和降解机理,较为全面地阐述了当前生物降解高分子材料的应用领域,特别是在缓/控释材料、手术缝合线及组织工程中的应用。