A magnetic resonance surface coil unit has at least one magnetic resonance coil surrounded by a closed housing wherein the housing has at least one recessed grip, and the recessed grip is formed by an oblong access opening to the cavity arranged inside of the housing. The cavity extends behind the access opening to one side in the direction of a shorter dimension of the access opening, such that a region of the housing bordering the access opening forms a grip part of the recessed grip. The recessed grip can be arranged in a region surrounded by a magnetic resonance coil.