A hybrid medical imaging unit (1) for magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) images has a first imaging unit (2) with high local resolution and e.g an MR device. A second imaging device (3) is a nuclear-medical imaging device with high sensitivity, e.g taking the form of a PET scanner and with single detector elements (4) assembled into one cylinder for lining a tunnel (5) to hold a patient. Operation of first and second imaging devices is controlled by a central common control device (6). An independent claim is also included for a hybrid medical imaging unit.