Holding device for medical instruments

A holding device for medical instruments, with a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed and with at least one joint to position the bracket and the medical instrument, wherein the at least one joint is configured as a ball and socket joint that is provided with at least one bearing shell and a pivot ball and that is adapted to be converted between a position that releases the joint for movement and one that blocks the joint against movement, the bearing shell bearing on the pivot ball, the bearing shell and the pivot ball being disposed in a housing, the bearing shell being of rigid configuration, the pivot ball being axially stationary relative to said housing, wherein the pivot ball is adapted to be releasably locked against movement by clamping in the bearing shell by at least one blocking element disposed within said housing;

• wherein, in the bearing shell having a plurality of recesses about an inner periphery, at least one recess is configured by which in each case at least one blocking element is adapted to be inserted into the at least one recess in such a way that the blocking element presses the pivot ball to block the joint by clamping against the bearing shell.