configuration allows the lateral component 102 to be laterally inserted through the disc space 122 to a position adjacent the lateral sidewalls 126 130 of the upper and lower vertebra 118 120 opposite from the insertion point in the illustrated embodiment of fig2 for example the insertion point is on the left lateral side of the patient right side of the drawing the lateral component 102 is passed through the disc space 122 to a position adjacent the right lateral sidewalls left side of the drawing it is understood that in other embodiments the insertion is from the right lateral side of the patient further it is understood that the lateral insertion is either a direct lateral insertion or an oblique lateral insertion referring more specifically to fig5 after the lateral component 102 has been inserted through the disc space 122 the lateral component 102 is rotated to an anchoring configuration as shown in the anchoring configuration of fig5 the lateral component 102 is oriented in a generally vertical direction such that the upper and lower ends 142 144 are positioned in a super to inferior orientation in the illustrated embodiment the lateral component 102 is rotated approximately 90 degrees between the insertion configuration and the anchoring configuration.