Abstract: The invention relates to a medical lighting unit for clinical use comprising a lighting unit body containing at least one lamp and having at least one light outlet side, with the lighting unit body being vertically adjustably mounted on at least one flexible, coilable tensile carrying element supported on a room wall, in particular on the room ceiling. The tensile carrying element is connected at one end to the lighting unit body and at the other end to a drive unit secured to the room wall and containing a drive motor for extending and retracting the tensile carrying element, with the tensile carrying element extending vertically between the drive unit and the lighting unit body. The invention lies in the fact that the carrying element is a single chain with measures being taken, or means being provided, in order to be able to set the lighting unit body in a desired illuminating position despite the single chain suspension.