BIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological examination apparatus capable of minimizing the attenuation of light intensity and an elastic wave caused by living tissue, highly efficiently irradiating a subject with light energy not exceeding the MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure), and detecting the elastic wave with a high S/N ratio.SOLUTION: A biological examination apparatus includes: a light source for generating light to irradiate a subject E; elastic wave detecting means for detecting an elastic wave generated by the subject that has absorbed the irradiated light; and an acoustic matching layer one surface of which is provided in contact with the elastic wave detecting means and the other surface of which is contactable with the subject. In this configuration, the biological examination apparatus allows the light to pass through the acoustic matching layer for irradiating the subject. The biological examination apparatus further comprises light diffusing means for irradiating the subject with the light having almost uniform intensity irrespective of the position inside the acoustic matching layer.