A surgical operating table has a plurality of sections, connected to each other and capable of being pivoted at least in vertical plane, and upon which the patient is rested while a surgical procedure is performed. These sections include a back support, which comprises a lower back section, a middle back section protruding therefrom, and two shoulder sections disposed on either side of the middle back section and releasably secured to the lower back section. In the releasing process, the shoulder section is first pivoted to an inclined angle downward from a plane of the lower back section and the middle back section, thus enabling a protrusion on the shoulder section to be released from a clamping of the frame portion and the rod, on the lower back section after which the shoulder section is capable of being pulled away and removed from the lower back section.
