Nodes (branched structure analysis)

Purpose

Use Nodes analysis to compile information about the location of nodes on processes (dendrites or axons).

Analysis results

Tree: Each tree selected for the analysis is assigned a unique number starting at 1.

Node: Describes the node position based on its root segment. The root segment is the segment closest to the origin of the process; the other segments are referred to as daughter segments.

R is the root segment, that is, the segment from the origin to the first node. In a bifurcating tree, the daughter segments at the first node are R-1 and R-2. If R-1 ends in a node, the 2 daughter segments are R-1-1 and R-1-2. If R-2 ends in a node, the 2 daughter segments are R-2-1 and R-2-2.

Distance Along Process: Length of the path from the origin to the node.

Straight Line Distance: Shortest distance from the origin to the node.

Tortuosity: Tortuosity = [Distance along process] / [Straight line distance]

• The smallest possible tortuosity value is 1. This indicates a straight path.
• Tortuosity increases as the segment assumes a more complex path to reach its destination.
• Tortuosity allows segments of different lengths to be compared in terms of the complexity of the paths they take.

Base coordinates: Coordinates (X,Y,Z) of the node.