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An algorithm for the detection and measurement of the glomerular basement membrane in kidney electron micrographs by image analysis techniques is described. Starting from a user-specified point, local features within a small window are computed to give a feature score. Feature scores for adjacent neighbourhoods are also determined, and windows that satisfy similarity criteria are linked to produce the centerline of the membrane. A region-growing process completes the segmentation procedure. The adaptive and local nature of the algorithm ensures successful segmentation despite the complex and variable characteristics of the micrograph image.