A medical instrument for grasping an object, in particular a surgical needle holder, comprising an elongated shaft (12), two jaw parts (22, 24) arranged at a distal end (14) of the shaft (12), at least one of the jaw parts (24) being pivotable with respect to the other one of the jaw parts (22) between a grasp state for grasping the object between the jaw parts (22, 24) and a release state for releasing the object, a handle (18) and further comprising a latching mechanism for immobilizing the at least one pivotable jaw part (24) in the grasp state, wherein the latching mechanism comprises at least one latching element, and the medical instrument further comprising a connection pin connecting the at least one pivotable jaw part (24) with the latching element, whereby the latching element further comprises an elongated opening to accommodate the connection pin, and whereby the elongated opening is divided in several sections along its length by periodical projections, such that the at least one pivotable jaw part (24) pivots stepwise from one stable latched position to another stable latched position.
