1. A method for automatic construction of 2D statistical shape models for the lung regions in chest radiographic images comprising: providing a radiographic image of the chest region of an individual; by performing a manual contour tracing, extracting the lung region shape instances from said chest radiographic image; rigidly aligning shape instances to a template shape by using a coarse shape alignment algorithm; optimizing the alignment of shape instances to said template shape by a detailed shape alignment process; generating a statistical model shape of the lung regions by principle component analysis using said aligned shape instances.