inherited association in complex data tables

Hello,

I'm working on an information gathering application for the Centers for 
Disease Control and need to ask where I should check to determine if IDs are 
inherited in complex data tables?

I have searched the W3 archives and found nothing about this particular 
issue ... i.e., if sub-heading B is associated with main-heading A, does 
data C, which is associated with sub-heading B, automatically inherit the 
association with main-heading A?

Is association inherited?

thanks,
Susan Wade,
Senior User Interface Engineer,
Vector Consulting