A tissue retraction system comprising: a drive gear coupled to a shaft, wherein the drive gear is configured to rotate along a first axis based on movement of the shaft; a first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140) located along a second axis and configured to rotate along the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated; a second plurality of linking members (130, 134); a right arm assembly configured to move along a first trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least two linking members of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140); a first retractor blade coupled to the right arm assembly; a left arm assembly configured to move along a second trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least another two linking members of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140); a second retractor blade coupled to the left arm assembly; a center arm configured to move along a third trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least two linking members of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134); a third retractor blade coupled to the center arm; and characterized in that the second plurality of linking members (130, 134) is located along a third axis and configured to rotate along the third axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated; and a linking member selector configured to rotate along the first axis, wherein the linking member selector comprises a cylindrical body integrally formed with a handle, wherein the cylindrical body includes at least a first protrusion configured to exert a first force on at least one linking member of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140) based on selection, via the handle of the linking member selector, of a position corresponding to the at least one linking member of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140), wherein the cylindrical body includes at least a second protrusion configured to exert a second force on at least one linking member of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134) based on selection, via the handle of the linking member selector, of a position corresponding to the at least one linking member of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134); and an array including tracking markers, wherein the array is releasably secured to the center arm. a drive gear coupled to a shaft, wherein the drive gear is configured to rotate along a first axis based on movement of the shaft; a first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140) located along a second axis and configured to rotate along the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated; a second plurality of linking members (130, 134); a right arm assembly configured to move along a first trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least two linking members of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140); a first retractor blade coupled to the right arm assembly; a left arm assembly configured to move along a second trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least another two linking members of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140); a second retractor blade coupled to the left arm assembly; a center arm configured to move along a third trajectory based on a corresponding movement of at least two linking members of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134); a third retractor blade coupled to the center arm; and characterized in that the second plurality of linking members (130, 134) is located along a third axis and configured to rotate along the third axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated; and a linking member selector configured to rotate along the first axis, wherein the linking member selector comprises a cylindrical body integrally formed with a handle, wherein the cylindrical body includes at least a first protrusion configured to exert a first force on at least one linking member of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140) based on selection, via the handle of the linking member selector, of a position corresponding to the at least one linking member of the first plurality of linking members (114, 118, 138, 140), wherein the cylindrical body includes at least a second protrusion configured to exert a second force on at least one linking member of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134) based on selection, via the handle of the linking member selector, of a position corresponding to the at least one linking member of the second plurality of linking members (130, 134); and an array including tracking markers, wherein the array is releasably secured to the center arm.