The file describes the branching structure of cells, allowing compartemntal models to be built from the neurons.
Each line in the file is a record, containing data of a subsegment, a homogenous non-branching cylinder.
The first line is the header.
Each record consist of the following fields:
Branch # Segment length Order Segment type Segment diameter Segment name
Branch#: identifies the segment.
1a means first subsegment of the first primary branch
11a first subsegment of the first secondary branch on the first primary branch
12a first subsegment of the second secondary branch on the first primary branch
12b second subsegment of the second secondary branch on the first primary branch
the number of digits involvs the order ot the branch
e.g.: 11a 11b
1a ------|--------- 121a
--------< 12a 12b ---------
----------|-------< 122a 122b
---------|-------
subsegments were required, because a single unbranched segment might consist of different subtypes (involving change in diameter). Subsegments of the same unbranched segment (e.g. 1122) are labelled with consequtive letters (1122a, 1122b, 1122c).
Segment length: length of a subsegment in micrometers
Order: order of subsegment
Segment type: type of subsegment
Segment diameter: diameter of the subsegment (equal for subsegments with the same type)
Segment name: description of subsegment (equal for subsegments with the same type)