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Cavalieri Point Mask Generator

Cavalieri stereology point counting for area fraction and volume estimation from tissue sections. Enter grid parameters, count points per section, and get real-time volume estimates with coefficient of error.

StereologyHistologyCalculatorClient-Side

Grid Configuration

Grid points for these dimensions: 88

Section Parameters

Section Counts

Section 1

Leave "Total" at 0 to use the grid point count (88) for that section.

Enter hit counts for at least one section to see results
  • Estimating brain region volumes from serial histological sections
  • Quantifying tumor volume from pathology slides
  • Calculating area fractions of tissue compartments (e.g., fibrosis, necrosis)
  • Teaching stereology point-counting methods

Don't use for

  • As a substitute for automated image segmentation when pixel-level accuracy is needed
  • For counting discrete objects (use the optical fractionator instead)
  • When sections are not systematically sampled

Stereology Fundamentals

Stereology uses systematic random sampling to obtain unbiased quantitative estimates of 3D structures from 2D sections.

Key principles: - Systematic random sampling — a random start with fixed intervals ensures every part of the structure has equal probability of being sampled - Unbiased estimation — Cavalieri and other estimators are design-based, not model-based - Precision control — the Coefficient of Error (CE) quantifies reliability and guides sampling effort

The Cavalieri Method Step by Step

1. Section the tissue systematically (e.g., every 6th section at 30 µm) 2. Overlay a point grid at random position on each section image 3. Count hit points (P_hit) falling within the region of interest 4. Calculate area per section: A = P_hit ×\times a(p), where a(p) is the area per point 5. Sum across sections and multiply by thickness ×\times interval to get volume 6. Assess CE — if CE > 0.05, increase sampling

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Histology & Microscopy

Microscopes and imaging systems for stereology

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Tissue Processing

Microtomes, embedding stations, and section storage

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