Stereology: some basic notions

Abstract

It frequently happens that real-world objects can only be investigated through planar or even linear cross-sections (thin slides, polished sections, outcrops, drill-holes,...). Stereology develops formulae to retrieve 3D information from the available 1D or 2D data. A stereological formula is usually based on a model which makes assumptions about the geometric properties of the obj ects under study. Of course, the more specific the model, the more information can be retrieved. Two different models are presented here. The first one deals with convex obj ects, the second one with polyconvex obj ects. Both models are treated in Hadwiger (1957). Other models can be found in Santaló (1977) and Serra (1982).