A detachable light for use in combination with surgical and diagnostic devices. The detachable light incorporates multiple functions into a minimum number of elements in the housing of the detachable light. The housing includes aligning gripping elements which align the light to a functional centerline of the surgical or diagnostic device. The housing includes multiple light sources on its exterior surface, where the direction of light output may be adjusted. Exterior surfaces of the detachable light which are in contact with patient tissue are formed from an atraumatic material.