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Article Contents

ABSTRACT

1.INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

2.SETTING UP THE SCENE

3.HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON THE INTRINSIC SHAPE OF GALAXIES

3.1.Intrinsic shape of elliptical galaxies

3.1.1.Photometric approach

3.1.2.Kinematic approach

3.2.Intrinsic shape of disc galaxies

4.THE INTRINSIC SHAPE OF EXTRAGALACTIC BULGES

4.1.Photometric approach

4.2. Evidences of triaxiality from kinematic measurements

4.3.Polar bulges

5.THE INTRINSIC SHAPE OF THE MILKY WAY BULGE

6.THE 3D SHAPE OF BULGES IN NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

7.CONCLUDING REMARKS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

REFERENCES