For deboning meat, at least one piece of meat (12; 14) is fixed inside a processing device and therein subjected to acceleration forces until structural units able to become detached from one another have reached spatially predefined collection spaces via guiding elements. Acceleration can be maintained at an intermediate level for a predefinable period and then be raised to a final level. In a centrifuge at least one drum cylinder (2; 3; 4; 6; 8) is connected in a non-rotational manner to a power-driven shaft (1; 5; 10). On said shaft and/or along the inner cylinder wall receiving spaces (21; 23; 32; 35; 36; 44) and supporting parts (22; 24; 27; 33; 34) are distributed radially, axially and/or around the circumference in such a way that each piece of meat (11; 12; 14) is able to remain stable both when the centrifuge is at rest and when it rotates, whereby at least a part of the superficial and/or guiding elements supports the remaining bones (13) during movement. Free ends of the receiving spaces or supporting parts, for example fork tips (46), are closer to the shaft (1; 5; 10) than their holding or supporting parts situated radially on the outside, for example lateral sides (43). At least two support elements in the shape of points, lines and/or flat surfaces can be moved on top of each other in a self-locking manner. The alignment of the receiving spaces (21; 23; 32; 35; 36; 44) and/or supporting parts (22; 24; 27; 33; 34) can be adjusted to the prevailing vector of acceleration; said spaces and parts can also have slanting, arched and/or wedge-shaped support elements, such as V-shaped notches (20), recessed edges (45) and such like. Cutting means (29) arranged on the shaft (1; 5; 10) and/or on the inner cylinder wall are able automatically to penetrate into the meat as far as a stop element (30). Moreover, the receiving spaces (21; 23; 32; 35; 36; 44) and/or supporting parts (22; 24; 27; 33; 34) can consist of a single piece and/or be exchangeable. In the case of multiple components or component groups, the same types of support elements, such as ribs, fork tips and such like, preferably follow one after the other at intervals situated radially, axially and/or around the circumference.