The device 1 for positioning the measuring element of a measuring apparatus comprises a traverse 14 on which the measuring element is arranged. The device further comprises a track 11 on which bearings 12, 13 run, and on which the traverse 14 is held by means of bearings 124, 125. The measuring element of the measuring apparatus can be positioned radially in relation to the track 11 and along the track 11. The traverse 14 comprises multiple components, wherein the components 141, 142 of the traverse 14 are interconnected with one or several bearings 143, or the components 141, 142 of the traverse 14 are held inside each other so as to be telescopically slidable. Radial positioning takes place in that the angle α14 between the components 141, 142 of the traverse 14 is changed or in that in the case of a telescopic traverse 14, which constitutes a chord in the track 11, the length is altered.