Table 4 Relationship of structural quantities and stereological principles
Parameter (dimension) | Appearance in 2D section (dimension) | Probe (dimension) | Event | Measurement | Density estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume V (3) | Area A (2) | Point PT (0) | Point lies in volume (“hits” A) | Point count P(x) | VV(x) = P(x)/PT |
Surface area S (2) | Boundary B (1) | Line LT (1) | Line intersects surface (“hits” B) | Intersection count I(x) | SV(x) = 2·I(x)/LT |
Length L (1) | Point Q (0) | Plane AT (2) | Plane transects line (“hits” Q) | Transect count Q(x) | LV(x) = 2·Q(x)/AT |
Number N (0) | – | Volume (Disector) AT·t (3) | Disector volume “hits” particle top | Top count Q¯(x) | NV(x) = Q¯(x)/AT·t |