The invention relates to a holding arm (1) for medical purposes, comprising: at least a first and a second arm segment (12, 14), wherein the first arm segment (12) is connected to a first joint (13) and the second arm segment (14) is connected to a second joint (15), wherein each joint (13, 15) can be released and locked by means of a releasing device； an operating unit (28) for bringing the holding arm (1) into a desired pose； and a control unit (74), which is coupled to the operating unit (28) and the releasing device in order to transmit signals from the operating unit (28) to the releasing device. According to the invention, an interface (500) is provided for receiving a key (510), and a detecting means (522, 524) is provided for detecting the identity of the key (510), wherein the control unit (74) is designed to control the releasing device in accordance with the identity of the received key (510).
