System and method for analyzing a region below one or more layers of tissue

This invention relates generally to medical diagnostic and training systems and methods, and more particularly, to a system and method for analyzing a region below one or more layers of tissue. An apparatus for analyzing a region below one or more layers of tissue includes a force sensor, a position sensor, and a processing system. The force sensor provides a force signal representative of an amount of force applied to a portion of the one or more layers of tissue which is adjacent to the region. The position sensor provides a position signal representative of the location of the position sensor when the force is applied. The processing system coupled to the force sensor and the position sensor determines at least one property of the region based on the force signal and the position signal.