Neural geometry is the major factor that determines connectivity and, possi
bly, functional output from a nervous system. Recently some of the proteins
and pathways involved in specific modes of branch formation or maintenance
, or both, have been described. To a variable extent, dendrites and axon co
llaterals can be viewed as dynamic structures subject to fine modulation th
at can result either in further growth or retraction. Each form of branchin
g results from specific molecular mechanisms. Cell-internal, substrate-deri
ved factors and functional activity, however, can often differ in their eff
ect according to cell type and physiological context at the site of branch
formation. Neural branching is not a linear process but an integrative one
that takes place in a microenvironment where we have only a limited experim
ental access. To attain a coherent mechanism for this phenomenon, quantitat
ive in situ data on the proteins involved and their interactions will be re
quired.