A vertebral implant having an opening (22, 27) in combination with an insertion instrument having a body which is elongated thereby defining a longitudinal centerline and which has a first end and a second end, the instrument being insertable within the opening (22, 27) in the implant to position the implant, the combination comprising: an actuator positioned at the second end; and a connector positioned at the first end and operatively connected to the actuator, the connector selectively positionable between a first orientation and a second orientation; wherein in the first orientation the connector is movable through the opening (22, 27) and in the second orientation the connector is not removable from the opening (22, 27); and wherein the implant is configured to receive the instrument from two or more directions and the instrument is movable between the two or more directions without being removed from the opening (22, 27), wherein the connector comprises a pair of extensions positioned at a distal end, characterized in that - each respective extension is elongated thereby defining a corresponding longitudinal axis; - a single hinge is positioned along each extension to allow movement of each extension between the first orientation and the second orientation to increase an overall width thereof; - the extensions are aligned with their respective longitudinal axis to be substantially parallel with the said longitudinal centerline in the first orientation, and are positioned with their respective longitudinal axis at an angle relative to the said longitudinal centerline in the second orientation. an actuator positioned at the second end; and a connector positioned at the first end and operatively connected to the actuator, the connector selectively positionable between a first orientation and a second orientation; wherein in the first orientation the connector is movable through the opening (22, 27) and in the second orientation the connector is not removable from the opening (22, 27); and wherein the implant is configured to receive the instrument from two or more directions and the instrument is movable between the two or more directions without being removed from the opening (22, 27), wherein the connector comprises a pair of extensions positioned at a distal end, characterized in that - each respective extension is elongated thereby defining a corresponding longitudinal axis; - a single hinge is positioned along each extension to allow movement of each extension between the first orientation and the second orientation to increase an overall width thereof; - the extensions are aligned with their respective longitudinal axis to be substantially parallel with the said longitudinal centerline in the first orientation, and are positioned with their respective longitudinal axis at an angle relative to the said longitudinal centerline in the second orientation. - each respective extension is elongated thereby defining a corresponding longitudinal axis; - a single hinge is positioned along each extension to allow movement of each extension between the first orientation and the second orientation to increase an overall width thereof; - the extensions are aligned with their respective longitudinal axis to be substantially parallel with the said longitudinal centerline in the first orientation, and are positioned with their respective longitudinal axis at an angle relative to the said longitudinal centerline in the second orientation.