Methods and systems for imaging dense anatomical structures are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for imaging a bone or a joint of a subject can include delivering a transmission ultrasound wave field from a transmission transducer array to a body part of a subject, receiving transmission data from the transmission ultrasound wave field at a transmission receiver array, delivering a reflection ultrasound wave field from a reflection transducer array to the body part of the subject, receiving reflection data from the reflection ultrasound wave field at a reflection receiver array, and generating an image of a bone or joint from at least one of the transmission data or the reflection data.
