A holding element positions back parts or parts thereof of poultry carcasses having a neck side, a hip side, a body exterior side, and a body interior side, wherein the back part has a spinal column or parts thereof and a rib structure having at least vertebral rib pairs or parts thereof. The back part has a region, on the exterior side of the body relative to the rib structure, that has back-flesh. The holding element includes a holding device with at least one controllable clamping element. The at least one clamping element is configured and adapted to releasably fix the back part at least in some regions on the holding device by non-positive and/or positive locking engagement with the body interior side.