A cutter for spine surgery is provided, especially for use in the area of the delicate cervical spine. The cutter includes a cylindrical cutter shank with cutter teeth formed at the distal end thereof. The cutter teeth at the distal end of the cutter shank are formed by grooves in the wall of the cutter shank. The grooves become deeper and expand from the outer radius of the cutter shank towards the distal end such that teeth narrowing towards the distal end with increasing height are formed between them. This guarantees especially gentle cutting in the area of the cervical spine, without surrounding delicate tissue being additionally jeopardized.