The pixel values in the image distmap(X) are distances,
  expressed as multiples of the unit of length of the spatial
  coordinates in X.
  The unit of length is given by unitname(X).
Note that, if the unit of length in X is a composite expression
  such as ‘2 microns’,
  then the values in distmap(X) are expressed as multiples
  of 2 microns, rather than being expressed in microns.