This invention provides systems and methods for using spatially localized sensor data to construct a multi-dimensional map of the location of key anatomical features, as well as systems and methods for utilizing this map to present location-based information to the surgeon and/or to an automated surgical navigation system. The location map is updated during surgery, so as to retain accuracy even in the presence of muscle-induced motion or deformation of the anatomy, as well as tissue location changes induced by translations or deformations induced by surgical dissection, surgical instrument contact, or biologically-induced tissue motion associated with activities such as respiration, anesthesia-induced gag reflex, blood flow/pulsation, and/or larger-scale changes in patient posture/positioning.
