Practical Applications of Morphometric Analysis in Toxicology

The principles of morphometry permit the determination of volume fraction ratio, surface volume and numerical density of structures, as well as other parameters, to be accurately measured. Mathematical formulae and modern instrumentation allow for reliable and reproducible quantification of biological structures. The measurements obtained from structures which are quantitated can be statistically tested thus leading to the precise analysis of obvious or subtle changes. To the toxicologist or pathologist the quantification of structural change can often aid in the understanding of the cellular mechanisms of toxicity, the interpretation of structure function relationships, and in determining whether a drug induced change has indeed occurred.