Abstract: A cooling element for a heat source, especially LED modules with many components, includes a base body in thermal and mechanical contact with a body of the heat source, at least one heat pipe having an end section inserted into the base body in a form-fitting and thermoconducting manner, and at least one cooling body having cooling body lamellae on the other end section of the heat pipe. The heat pipes extend over the entire length of the base body such that a hot zone of the heat source lies on a contact surface of the base body, the heat pipes extend parallel to each other and to the contact surface of the heat source. The base body is fixed to the body of the heat source, base body lamellae being provided on the outer side of the base body, formed as a single component thereon or connected thereto.