volumetrie

Volumétrie is the measurement or estimation of volume, the amount of space occupied by a substance or object. The term is used in multiple disciplines to describe methods that quantify either the true geometric volume of a body or the volume of a substance, tissue, or region of interest. In practice, volumétrie encompasses geometric calculations, displacement-based methods, and imaging- or sensor-based approaches that yield volume data.

Methods include geometric calculation for regularly shaped objects where volume is derived from dimensions (for example, spheres, cylinders, or boxes); displacement methods for irregular objects based on Archimedes’ principle; and imaging-based volumetry using modalities such as CT, MRI, or 3D scanning, followed by digital segmentation and voxel counting to estimate volumes. In clinical practice, volumetric analysis often requires standardization and careful segmentation to ensure comparability.

Applications are wide. In medicine and biology, volumétrie is used to quantify organ or tumor volumes, lung volumes, or brain structures for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning. In dentistry and radiology, bone volume and lesion volume are assessed for implants and pathology. In analytical chemistry, volumetric analysis (volumétrie analytique) determines the concentration of a solution by measuring the volume of titrant required to reach an endpoint. In engineering and archaeology, volumetry supports material accounting and the study of artifacts.

Limitations include dependence on resolution, segmentation accuracy, and calibration. The term thus covers a family of techniques tailored to the object and context. See also volumetry, volumetric imaging, and titration-based volumetric analysis.