An articulatable disposable loading unit (3016; 3016') for attachment to a stapling apparatus, said articulatable disposable loading unit comprising: a staple cartridge non-removably supported in a carrier; an anvil pivotally coupled to said carrier for selective pivotal travel relative to said staple cartrige; a housing portion having a proximal end configured for operable attachment to the stapling apparatus; and an axial drive assembly having a portion constructed to move axially through said staple cartridge to close the anvil and fire the staples within the cartridge in response to a drive motion imparted to said axial drive assembly from a portion of the stapling apparatus when said housing portion is coupled thereto characterised by a passive articulation member (300; 300') attached to said carrier and said housing portion, said passive articulation member (300, 300') comprising: a body portion having a longitudinal spine and defining a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs; a central slot in said longitudinal spine; a first side slot through said first plurality of ribs; a first articulation plate extending through said first side slot, said first articulation plate fabricated form relatively inelastic material; a second side slot through said second plurality of ribs; and a second articulation plate extending through said second side slot, sand second articulation plate fabricated from relatively inelastic material; wherein the first and second articulation plates (320,320) retain their position after bending; and wherein at least a portion of the axial drive assembly extends through said central slot in said body portion of said passive articulation member (300, 300') and is movably supported within said housing portion. a staple cartridge non-removably supported in a carrier; an anvil pivotally coupled to said carrier for selective pivotal travel relative to said staple cartrige; a housing portion having a proximal end configured for operable attachment to the stapling apparatus; and an axial drive assembly having a portion constructed to move axially through said staple cartridge to close the anvil and fire the staples within the cartridge in response to a drive motion imparted to said axial drive assembly from a portion of the stapling apparatus when said housing portion is coupled thereto characterised by a passive articulation member (300; 300') attached to said carrier and said housing portion, said passive articulation member (300, 300') comprising: a body portion having a longitudinal spine and defining a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs; a central slot in said longitudinal spine; a first side slot through said first plurality of ribs; a first articulation plate extending through said first side slot, said first articulation plate fabricated form relatively inelastic material; a second side slot through said second plurality of ribs; and a second articulation plate extending through said second side slot, sand second articulation plate fabricated from relatively inelastic material; wherein the first and second articulation plates (320,320) retain their position after bending; and wherein at least a portion of the axial drive assembly extends through said central slot in said body portion of said passive articulation member (300, 300') and is movably supported within said housing portion. a body portion having a longitudinal spine and defining a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs; a central slot in said longitudinal spine; a first side slot through said first plurality of ribs; a first articulation plate extending through said first side slot, said first articulation plate fabricated form relatively inelastic material; a second side slot through said second plurality of ribs; and a second articulation plate extending through said second side slot, sand second articulation plate fabricated from relatively inelastic material; wherein the first and second articulation plates (320,320) retain their position after bending; and wherein at least a portion of the axial drive assembly extends through said central slot in said body portion of said passive articulation member (300, 300') and is movably supported within said housing portion.