The isector: a simple and direct method for generating isotropic, uniform random sections from small specimens

Abstract

SUMMARY The very simple and strong principle of vertical sections devised by Baddeley et al . has been a major advance in stereology when any kind of anisotropy is present in the specimen under study. On the other hand, some important stereological estimators still require isotropic, uniform random sections. This paper deals with a simple technique for embedding specimens in rubber moulds with spherical cavities. After the embedding, any handling of the resulting sphere independent of the specimen will induce isotropy of the final histological sections.