Tree totals (branched structure analysis)

Purpose

Tree totals combines the totals based solely on the centrifugal branch ordering method.

To select additional branch ordering methods, go to Preferences in the File menu and select Ordering. About branch orders

Analysis results

Order: Reports the centrifugal branch ordering. Branch orders from additional methods appear below the results for the centrifugal order if you selected additional branch orders.

Quantity: Number of trees for a given branch order.

Length total: Total length for all branches in the tree with the same branch order.

  • Mean = [Length total] / [Quantity]
  • Variance: Set to 0 if there is only 1 branch; otherwise, computed for the set of branches.

Surface total / Volume total: Computed by modeling each piece of each branch as a frustum (truncated right circular cone).

  • Mean = [Surface or Volume total] / [Quantity]
  • Variance: Set to 0 if there is only 1 branch; otherwise, computed for the set of branches.

Nodes: Number of segments of that branch order ending in nodes.

  • Degrees (0, 1, 2, >2):

    • Termination = degree 0.

    • Bifurcation = degree 2.

    • Nodes of degree higher than 2 are grouped under >2.

Spine: Quantities are computed for all spines, then broken down according to the spine classification assigned in Neurolucida or Neurolucida 360.

Endings (N, H, L, I, O, M, G): Quantities are computed according to their type: Normal (N), High (H), Low (L), Incomplete (I), Origin (O), Midpoint (M), and Generated (G). If ending types were not assigned while tracing in Neurolucida or Neurolucida 360, quantities will not be shown.

 

Normal Ending (N) Default
High Ending (H)

Ending located at the top of the current section. Depending on the orientation of the sections, the process may continue into another section.

  • Use the Z Meter to determine the Z value of the ending.
Low Ending (L) Ending located at the bottom of the current section.
Incomplete (I) Use to label arbitrary endings, endings that disappear for unknown reasons, endings that should be audited later.
Origin Ending (O)

Indicates the directionality of the tree.

  • Use this setting if you have been tracing towards the cell body and find that your "ending" is actually the beginning of the process.

Neurolucida Explorer keeps track of directionality to apply branch orders.

Midpoint (M) Ending of a long branch that is indeterminate at the time it is placed.
Generated (G) When Neurolucida or Neurolucida 360 is unable to determine an ending type, it assigns a "Generated" ending. This can happen during editing when the ending type originally assigned is no longer valid, or a new ending is created. Examples include editing to relocate the origin ending, which leaves the original origin unassigned, or splitting a branch, which creates new endings. You may need to evaluate the generated endings and assign the appropriate ending type.
Branch (B) Describes a terminal segment point that is a node (bifurcating or trifurcating). The Branch ending type will only be seen in segment analyses.