A vertebral construct comprising: a first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) having a first portion and a second portion which includes a threaded portion of a screw, the threaded portion configured for engagement with a vertebrae; a rod defining an elongated opening configured to facilitate dynamic translation of the first portion therein relative to the rod; a second pedicle screw assembly (26;426) having a first portion (68;468) fixedly connected to the rod, and for attaching the rod to a vertebrae; at least one damping element disposed within the elongated opening and being engageable with the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); wherein the at least one damping element includes a pair of opposing damping elements (60,62) disposed at a first end and at a second end of the elongated opening; wherein the rod includes a band portion (38;438) having a wall that defines the elongated opening; wherein the band portion (38;438) has an elongated plate configuration that defines a first face configured to engage the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) and an opposing second face configured to engage the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); wherein the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) includes a portion of the screw having a head; wherein the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) includes a nut; characterized in that the head of the screw has a spherical surface engageable with the first face such that the rod is configured for rotation relative to the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); the head of the screw has a threaded post extending therefrom; the nut is threaded onto the post to connect and movably capture the rod; the nut has a spherical surface that is engageable with the second face such that the rod is configured for rotation relative to the first pedicle screw assembly; multiple axis movement, including rotation of the surfaces of the rod, is provided through engagement of the opposing faces (46,48) of the band portion (38;438) with opposing spherical surfaces (54;58); and upon fixation of the components of the vertebral construct with the vertebrae (V1, V2), the components of the vertebral construct are configured to provide flexibility in response to movement of the pedicle screw assemblies (24, 26) during flexion, extension and torsion of the spine, wherein, during extension, movement of the vertebrae (V1, V2) causes the post to translate in a direction (arrow A) within the opening to engage with the damping element disposed at the first end in a first orientation, and wherein, during flexion, movement of the vertebrae (V1, V2) causes the post to translate in said direction (arrow A) within the opening to engage with the damping element disposed at the second end in a second orientation. a first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) having a first portion and a second portion which includes a threaded portion of a screw, the threaded portion configured for engagement with a vertebrae; a rod defining an elongated opening configured to facilitate dynamic translation of the first portion therein relative to the rod; a second pedicle screw assembly (26;426) having a first portion (68;468) fixedly connected to the rod, and for attaching the rod to a vertebrae; at least one damping element disposed within the elongated opening and being engageable with the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); wherein the at least one damping element includes a pair of opposing damping elements (60,62) disposed at a first end and at a second end of the elongated opening; wherein the rod includes a band portion (38;438) having a wall that defines the elongated opening; wherein the band portion (38;438) has an elongated plate configuration that defines a first face configured to engage the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) and an opposing second face configured to engage the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); wherein the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) includes a portion of the screw having a head; wherein the first portion of the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424) includes a nut; the head of the screw has a spherical surface engageable with the first face such that the rod is configured for rotation relative to the first pedicle screw assembly (24;424); the head of the screw has a threaded post extending therefrom; the nut is threaded onto the post to connect and movably capture the rod; the nut has a spherical surface that is engageable with the second face such that the rod is configured for rotation relative to the first pedicle screw assembly; multiple axis movement, including rotation of the surfaces of the rod, is provided through engagement of the opposing faces (46,48) of the band portion (38;438) with opposing spherical surfaces (54;58); and upon fixation of the components of the vertebral construct with the vertebrae (V1, V2), the components of the vertebral construct are configured to provide flexibility in response to movement of the pedicle screw assemblies (24, 26) during flexion, extension and torsion of the spine, wherein, during extension, movement of the vertebrae (V1, V2) causes the post to translate in a direction (arrow A) within the opening to engage with the damping element disposed at the first end in a first orientation, and wherein, during flexion, movement of the vertebrae (V1, V2) causes the post to translate in said direction (arrow A) within the opening to engage with the damping element disposed at the second end in a second orientation.