In this paper, we address the object recognition problem in a probabilistic framework to detect and describe object appearance through image features organized by means of active contour models. We consider the formulation of saliency in terms of visual similarity embedded in the probabilistic principal component analysis framework. A likelihood of object structure detection is obtained using the relation between the visual field and the internal object representation. Deformable models are employed introducing a computational methodology for a perceptual organization of image features as an abstract understanding of the integration between structure and constraints of the visual information-processing problem. Concrete application of the integrated approach for vessel segmentation in angiography is considered and the results are encouraging.