What term is used for a node that branches off from a parent node in a tree structure?

In a tree structure, a node that branches off from a parent node is referred to as a child. Each child node is connected to its parent node, forming a hierarchical structure. This relationship signifies that the child node is a direct descendant of the parent node, contributing to the overall organization of the tree.

The concept of a child node is fundamental in understanding the structure and dynamics of trees in computer science, as it helps demonstrate the relationships and pathways within data representations like binary trees, file systems, and organizational hierarchies. Recognizing how parent and child nodes relate is crucial when traversing trees or performing operations such as searching, inserting, or deleting nodes within them.