A medical observation apparatus includes: a microscope; a support that movably supports the microscope, and includes plural arm portions and plural joint portions each of which connects two of the arm portions and rotatably holds one of the arm portions around a predetermined shaft portion with respect to the other of the arm portions; and one or plural cables inserted into an interior of the support. The shaft portion has a cylindrical shape into which the one or the plural cables can be inserted. A joint portion, of the plural joint portions, that connects two arm portions in which extending directions are orthogonal to each other includes a rotating portion rotatable according to rotational power of the shaft portion, and a restraining portion positioned where a central axis thereof is offset from a central axis and that is capable of restraining rotation of the rotating portion.