Stereology

The textbook "Stereology" provides a comprehensive introduction to the methods for the quantitative analysis of geometric quantities. It covers topics such as the volume determination of tumors, the total surface area of alveoli in the lungs, the length of plant roots and blood vessels, as well as the number of neurons in specific brain regions. Through twenty solved case studies, the methods are illustrated, which are based on carefully taken sections or projections that can be observed under various microscopy techniques or non-invasive imaging methods such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The book places particular emphasis on the development of sampling designs that allow for an unbiased estimation of the corresponding quantities. Systematic and sparse sampling is described as efficient and easy to implement. The content is of interest to both postgraduate courses and researchers, providing a detailed presentation of the theory, methodology, and application of stereology.