In mathematics, in the field of group theory, a subgroup of a group is said to be ascendant if there is an ascending series starting from the subgroup and ending at the group, such that every term in the series is a normal subgroup of its successor. The series may be infinite. If the series is finite, then the subgroup is subnormal. Here are some properties of ascendant subgroups: Every subnormal subgroup is ascendant; every ascendant subgroup is serial. In a finite group, the properties of being ascendant and subnormal are equivalent. An arbitrary intersection of ascendant subgroups is ascendant. Given any subgroup, there is a minimal ascendant subgroup containing it. See also Descendant subgroup References Subgroup properties