Abstract: A rail element for the reception of article supports with a metallic profile strip (20) having a cross section with at least two legs (2, 3) defining a right angle (4), having openings (5) in one of the legs (2) for the reception of hook-formed brackets of article supports. The openings are provided in an aligned manner at a mutual distance in the main direction of extension of the rail element according to a modular dimension which allows a height-adjustable arrangement of the article supports. In the other leg (3) openings (6) are provided as well and arranged at the same height as the openings (5) in the first leg (2). Both facing openings (5, 6) are connected with a clearance (7, 8) forming a continuous recess which extends over the right angle (4).