Branching structures Design Pattern

Representation of paired structures

• Status: Early draft
• Document Type: ontology_design_pattern

Abstract

Many anatomical structures form branching or networked structures: arteries, veins, nerves, the pulmonary tract and other branches off the main gut tract. Sometimes there is confusion as to whether a term "X nerve" refers to an entire branching tree or to the main trunk of that tree.

This design pattern is designed for structures in animals. It is also suitable for actual branches in plants, as well as geographical entities such as rivers. Indeed much of the terminology is shared between these domains ("tributaries" etc).

Background: Relations in RO

Note: new relations added in v2016-08-24 of RO

Hierarchy:

• RO:0002375 ! in branching relationship with
  • RO:0002252 ! connecting branch of
  • RO:0002253 ! has connecting branch
  • RO:0002377 ! distributary of
    • RO:0002378 ! anabranch of
  • RO:0002380 ! branching part of
  • RO:0002381 ! main stem of
  • RO:0002569 ! has branching part

Visual depiction of formal representation:

Note: documentation is ongoing

Background: Representation of branching structures in FMA

See #170

Representation in uberon

TODO