Ultrasound visualization of curved structures

An ultrasound imaging apparatus may acquire a two-dimensional, flat image of a curved region within a curved plane. The apparatus includes a processor for localizing the region with respect to a transducer array and a processor for operating the transducer array for the imaging of the region and for projecting the region onto a flat image plane. An ultrasound imaging apparatus may acquire a flat image of a curved region within a curved plane. The apparatus may include a module for extracting a centerline of a curved object that contains the curved region, and a processor for: projecting the centerline onto a face of an array, selecting, from among the elements, a set along the projection onto the face, receive beamforming, specifically using the set, to image the curved region and thereby acquire a curved image, and projecting the curved region onto a flat image plane.