Correcting errors in estimating neuron area caused by the position of the nucleolus

The technique of measuring soma cross-sectional area at the plane of the nucleolus leads to systematic errors that depend on how far the nucleolus is displaced from the center of the soma. A set of correction factors was produced based on calculations from a geometric model of the measurement process. Applying the correction factors to measurements of second-order auditory neurons led to substantial changes in the estimated soma area.