The invention relates to a measuring device (10) for determining the positioning of the human spine (12). In order to provide for particularly straightforward and precise determination of the positioning of the human spine, the measuring device (10) comprises a link chain (11) having a plurality of chain links (18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23) connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein each chain link (18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23) has a coupling portion (25; 26) for connecting to an adjacent chain link (18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23) and each coupling portion (25; 26) comprises in each case a plurality of joints (28; 28b; 30; 30a; 30b; 33; 33a; 33b; 37; 37a; 37b) having angle sensors and/or length sensors (29; 29a; 29b; 32; 32a; 32b; 35; 35a; 35b; 39; 39a; 39b) for determining the position of adjacent chain links (18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23) in relation to one another.