A surgical introducer system having a sidewall that forms an introducer passage, and a probe receptacle at the distal end of the introducer. The probe receptacle begins at a proximal end and terminates at a distal end with the proximal receptacle end being between the distal receptacle end and the proximal introducer end. The receptacle's inner surface tapers continuously from the proximal end to the distal receptacle end, with the lateral size being greater at the proximal receptacle end. The inner surface receives the distal tip of a navigation probe and restricts movement of the distal probe tip in the lateral direction, and the sidewall is spaced from the navigation probe shaft to allow the shaft to move in the lateral direction within the passage when the distal probe tip is positioned in the probe receptacle.
