A computed tomography apparatus has a gantry with a measuring opening, with an x-ray source movable around the measuring opening for irradiating an examination area from different directions, a detector for registering corresponding sets of projection data, and at least one support table having a support plate. The gantry can be moved into a use position independently of the support table and the support table is fashioned such that the support plate extends through the measuring opening when the gantry assumes a use position.