Paragraph Number

53

Arrow 128 may be representative of a longitudinal axis of the second pedicle 116. Arrow 128 defines an angle A between the AP axis 124 and arrow 128 and an angle B between the arrow 128 and the ML axis 122. In embodiments described herein, angle A is used to represent the desired orientation angle. However, those of skill in the art appreciate that either angle A or angle B may be used to represent a desired orientation angle and one angle can be readily converted into the other by subtracting the one angle from 90 degrees. In embodiments where angle A is used to represent the desired orientation angle, the AP axis 124 serves as a reference axis 130. In embodiments where angle B is used to represent the desired orientation angle, the ML axis 122 serves as a reference axis. "Reference axis" refers to an axis positioned and/or configured to serve as a reference in measuring or determining an attribute such as an angle and/or a distance measurement. The attribute is measured with respect to the reference axis.

Added by DJM 1 2022