[Stereologic analysis of the thyroid gland (review of methods)]

The most important stereological methods applied for quantitative morphologic investigation of the thyroid gland are considered: estimation of relative volumes of the organ's components, of follicular surface, of follicular surface/volume ratio, of number of cells and follicles per volume unit and in the whole organ, their distribution according to their size. The main formulae are presented and the most effective ways in application of stereological of stereological methods for investigation of normal and pathological gland in men and animals are described.