Medical implant for the human or animal body

A medical implant for the body of a person or an animal consists at least partially of a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy contains portions of rare earth metals and lithium and optionally yttrium and aluminum. The magnesium alloy preferably contains lithium in a portion of 0.01 to 7 mass %, aluminum in a portion of 0.01 to 16 mass %, optionally yttrium in a portion of 0.01 to 7 mass %, and rare earth metals in a portion of 0.01 to 8 mass %.