Zellhöhe

Zellhöhe is a morphometric parameter that describes the vertical dimension of a cell along the z-axis, measured relative to a chosen reference plane. It is used in histology, plant biology, and cell culture to compare cell shapes and tissue organization. The height is usually expressed in micrometres and depends on cell type, orientation, and developmental stage.

Measuring Zellhöhe requires three‑dimensional imaging. Techniques include confocal laser scanning microscopy, deconvolution, light‑sheet fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy, often in combination with z-stack acquisition. The measured value represents the distance between the lowest and highest points of the cell along the z-direction and can be influenced by sample orientation and fixation methods.

The height of a cell is related to its functional state. In plants, tall, columnar cells can contribute to tissue mechanics or light interception; in epithelia, differences in height reflect polarity and differentiation. Variability is high between cell types and within tissues; measurements are typically compared within the same imaging setup to ensure consistency.

Limitations include dependence on orientation, distortion during sample preparation, and potential underestimation of height in two-dimensional images. Accurate reporting usually includes the imaging modality, staining, and the reference plane used. See also cell morphology, three-dimensional microscopy, and z-stack imaging.