Simple SEM stereophotogrammetric method for three‐dimensional evaluation of features on flat substrates

A semi‐automated method was developed for the measurement of the volume of a calcified tissue substrate which can be resorbed by single, isolated resorptive cells (osteoclasts). The procedure would, however, be applicable to the study of any pit in, or projection from, a flat surfaced specimen. Stereo‐pair images are recorded with an SEM. 3‐D co‐ordinates of relevant surface features are derived using a stereo‐comparator which outputs data directly to a microcomputer. Algorithms adopted have been chosen to give the best compromise between accuracy and speed of data acquisition.