An adjustable connector (20; 200) for interconnecting first and second elongate spinal rods (R 1; R 2) at select angular orientations relative to one another, in combination with the said elongate spinal rods, comprising: a first rod connector member (24; 224) and a second rod connector member (22; 222), wherein the first rod connector member (24; 224) is rotationally coupled to the second rod connector member (22; 222) to permit relative rotation between said first and second rod connector members about a rotational axis, said first rod connector member (24; 224) defining a first passage (60; 260) sized and configured to receive the first spinal rod therein, said first passage (60; 260) has a slot-like configuration having a length extending along a transverse axis (T 2) arranged transverse to said rotational axis, said second rod connector member (22; 222) defining a second passage (40; 240) sized and configured to receive the second spinal rod therein; a lock member (26; 226) positioned at least partially between said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222), said lock member (26-; 226) including an angled rod bearing surface and an opposite first interface surface, said angled rod bearing surface extending along a plane oriented at an oblique angle relative to said rotational axis; and a compression member extending into said first passage (60; 260) of said first rod connector member (24; 224) and into compressed engagement with said first spinal rod to displace said first spinal rod along said transverse axis (T 2) and along said length of said elongated slot and into sliding engagement with said angled rod bearing surface of said lock member (26; 226) to secure said first spinal rod within said first passage (60; 260); and wherein sliding engagement of said first spinal rod against said rod bearing surface axially displaces said lock member (26; 226) toward said second rod connector member (22; 222) generally along said rotational axis to compress said first interface surface of said lock member (26; 226) against an opposing second interface surface to selectively prevent said relative rotation between said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222), wherein at least one of said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222) defines a lateral opening (41; 241) communicating with a corresponding one of said first and second passages (60, 40; 260, 240) to allow one of said first and second spinal rods (R 1, R 2) to be laterally inserted through said lateral opening (41; 241) and into said corresponding one of said first and second passages and wherein said rotational axis intersects said lateral opening (41; 241). a first rod connector member (24; 224) and a second rod connector member (22; 222), wherein the first rod connector member (24; 224) is rotationally coupled to the second rod connector member (22; 222) to permit relative rotation between said first and second rod connector members about a rotational axis, said first rod connector member (24; 224) defining a first passage (60; 260) sized and configured to receive the first spinal rod therein, said first passage (60; 260) has a slot-like configuration having a length extending along a transverse axis (T 2) arranged transverse to said rotational axis, said second rod connector member (22; 222) defining a second passage (40; 240) sized and configured to receive the second spinal rod therein; a lock member (26; 226) positioned at least partially between said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222), said lock member (26-; 226) including an angled rod bearing surface and an opposite first interface surface, said angled rod bearing surface extending along a plane oriented at an oblique angle relative to said rotational axis; and a compression member extending into said first passage (60; 260) of said first rod connector member (24; 224) and into compressed engagement with said first spinal rod to displace said first spinal rod along said transverse axis (T 2) and along said length of said elongated slot and into sliding engagement with said angled rod bearing surface of said lock member (26; 226) to secure said first spinal rod within said first passage (60; 260); and wherein sliding engagement of said first spinal rod against said rod bearing surface axially displaces said lock member (26; 226) toward said second rod connector member (22; 222) generally along said rotational axis to compress said first interface surface of said lock member (26; 226) against an opposing second interface surface to selectively prevent said relative rotation between said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222), wherein at least one of said first and second rod connector members (24, 22; 224, 222) defines a lateral opening (41; 241) communicating with a corresponding one of said first and second passages (60, 40; 260, 240) to allow one of said first and second spinal rods (R 1, R 2) to be laterally inserted through said lateral opening (41; 241) and into said corresponding one of said first and second passages and wherein said rotational axis intersects said lateral opening (41; 241).