A low profile spinal stabilization system (100; 200) comprising: an elongated fixation element (120; 220) comprising a first socket (126; 226) and a second socket (128; 228); a first anchor element (110; 240) comprising a spherical end (112; 244) configured for insertion into the first socket (126; 226) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) having a plurality of petals (114; 246) separated by a plurality of radially arranged slots (116; 248); a second anchor element (110; 250) comprising a spherical end (112; 254) configured for insertion into the second socket (128; 228) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) having a plurality of petals (114; 256) separated by a plurality of radially arranged slots (116; 258); a first locking element (130; 230) configured for insertion between the petals of the first anchor element (110; 240) and into the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) to lock the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) inside the first socket (126; 226) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) when the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) is positioned inside the first socket (126; 226); and a second locking element (130; 230) configured for insertion between the petals of the anchor element (110; 250) and into the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) to lock the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) inside the second socket (128; 228) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) when the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) is positioned inside the second socket (128; 228), wherein the first socket (126; 226) is defined by a first end of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) and the second socket (128; 228) is defined by a second end of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), and wherein the first locking element is axially displaceable in the spherical head of the first bone screw between an unlocking position and a locking position, characterized in that the petals of the first bone screw are expanded radially outwardly and have a first outer diameter in the unlocking position, and in that the petals of the first bone screw are expanded further radially outwardly and have a second outer diameter in the locking position, the second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. an elongated fixation element (120; 220) comprising a first socket (126; 226) and a second socket (128; 228); a first anchor element (110; 240) comprising a spherical end (112; 244) configured for insertion into the first socket (126; 226) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) having a plurality of petals (114; 246) separated by a plurality of radially arranged slots (116; 248); a second anchor element (110; 250) comprising a spherical end (112; 254) configured for insertion into the second socket (128; 228) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) having a plurality of petals (114; 256) separated by a plurality of radially arranged slots (116; 258); a first locking element (130; 230) configured for insertion between the petals of the first anchor element (110; 240) and into the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) to lock the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) inside the first socket (126; 226) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) when the spherical end (112; 244) of the first anchor element (110; 240) is positioned inside the first socket (126; 226); and a second locking element (130; 230) configured for insertion between the petals of the anchor element (110; 250) and into the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) to lock the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) inside the second socket (128; 228) of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) when the spherical end (112; 254) of the second anchor element (110; 250) is positioned inside the second socket (128; 228), wherein the first socket (126; 226) is defined by a first end of the elongated fixation element (120; 220) and the second socket (128; 228) is defined by a second end of the elongated fixation element (120; 220), and wherein the first locking element is axially displaceable in the spherical head of the first bone screw between an unlocking position and a locking position, characterized in that the petals of the first bone screw are expanded radially outwardly and have a first outer diameter in the unlocking position, and in that the petals of the first bone screw are expanded further radially outwardly and have a second outer diameter in the locking position, the second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter.