Abstract: A medical cutting instrument for cutting muscles and tendons, having a shaft on whose distal end a tool is mounted consisting of two jaw members, such that at least one jaw member can move with respect to the other jaw member, and on whose proximal end a handle is mounted, such that the movable jaw member and the handle operatively interact with one another by way of an actuation element mounted in the shaft in such a way that the movable jaw member can be shifted between a closed position and an opened position of the tool by actuating the handle and whereby the tool is configured for simultaneous severing and holding of one end of the severed muscle/tendon tissue. At least in the other jaw member, a guide is configured for controlled insertion of the muscle/tendon tissue that is to be severed.