1. A method for estimating a location of an anatomical structure in a diagnostic image of a patient, comprising: detecting a first benchmark feature within an x-ray image in a digital format; detecting a second benchmark feature within the x-ray image; applying, by a processor, at least one template to the x-ray image to determine a curvature of the second benchmark feature; locating an intersection between a first line that extends along a length of the first benchmark feature and a second line that extends through a central point related to the curvature of the second benchmark feature and that intersects with the first line at an angle that is within a predetermined range of angles; and identifying the location of the anatomical structure relative to the intersection.