What is the cesium.catographic z-axis data reference point (z:0)?

I’ve seen a lot of documents, and I’ve checked the ECEF coordinate system. I understood that the x and y axes are longitude and latitude, respectively. I also vaguely understand that the z-axis is altitude.
What is the standard for z-axis elevation? It’s not the center of the earth. I wonder if it’s above sea level or from the surface of the earth.