Ordering methods in quantitative analysis of branching structures of dendritic trees.

Two different ordering methods used in quantitative analysis of dendritic trees are compared with respect to the chief objective of doing the ordering, viz. grouping together those segments of a branching pattern which have similar characteristics. After describing the different properties of these two ordering methods (i.e., Strahler method and centrifugal method), criteria are given for selecting one or the other of the two methods.