Abstract: Microtubules are linear protein polymers present in most cells. In fruit fly neurons, microtubules are believed to have specific orientations and are stable. Since key proteins are transported along these polymers, a stable orientation and structure is critical for the long-term survival of these cells. However, microtubules must also be dynamic and reorganize in response to injury. It is unknown how this balance between stable maintenance and rapid adaptability is achieved. Using experimental data and a stochastic mathematical model, we first seek to understand mechanisms that control microtubule length in dendrites of neurons. The mechanisms modeled include the dependence of shrinking events on microtubule length and limited protein availability. With a reduced deterministic model, we can validate and guide our choices of parameters for the more complex stochastic model. Insights from these models of microtubule dynamics can then be used to understand other aspects of microtubule behavior, such as how the number of microtubules can affect the microtubule length distribution and how microtubules organize into polarized structures in healthy neurons.