This application is directed to a medical instrument with a hollow shaft, an actuating unit at the proximal end and an instrument tip with an instrument at the distal end, the instrument actuated via an actuating element, the element being in connection with the actuating unit and the instrument tip being pivotable relative to the shaft via a joint mechanism; the joint mechanism having pivoting members with proximal-side drive via steering wires such that movement of the proximal-side drive causes movement of the distal-side pivoting members and pivoting of the instrument tip; and a trigger mechanism with which the steering wires can be brought into a relaxed state that releases the articulation of the instrument tip. In order for the medical instrument to be cleaned and ensure that the medical instrument is safely removed even if the proximal-side drive fails, the trigger mechanism is a purely mechanical trigger mechanism.