From 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional: Overcoming dilemmas in intestinal mucosal interpretation

Figure 1 Defining the mucosa: from 2-D to 3-D. This diagram briefly outlines the utility of computer-aided morphometric analysis of intestinal mucosa. Data are always dependent on an invariable reference (muscularis mucosae). Observations are also controlled with the use of "effective section thickness" and "quotients of accumulated means". IEL: Intraepithelial lymphocyte.