A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations. An imaging head (28) is gimble mounted on a multi-axis compound arm (34) to allow for precise placement of a confocal objective (116) extending from the head at selected locations against the skin of the patient. The arm (34) attaches the head to an upright station (10) which may be movable along the floor on which the station is disposed. The station (10) has a platform (16) on which a keyboard (24) and a display (22) for monitoring the images is supported. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope, which control scanning and may also control fine positioning of the locations being imaged. The head (28) is detachable from the arm for manual disposition.