Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe comprising a platen for defining the surface in a manner supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting platen for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system an electrically operated motor for moving the transducer in a manner such that the ultrasonic beam is directed in a path along the surface. A fluid-tight housing extends from the tissue-supporting surface and has an interior region containing the transducer and motor which region is filled by an electrically non-conductive fluid having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of water and having a viscosity sufficiently low so as not to impede the movement of the transducer.