Patent ID: 8506609

Claim:
A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, the receiving part comprising: a receiving part body comprising: a rod receiving portion having a channel for receiving a rod, and a head receiving portion for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the head receiving portion having an open end and being flexible for inserting and clamping of the head; and a locking ring around the head receiving portion, wherein in an insertion position of the locking ring, the head receiving portion is expandable from a neutral position to facilitate insertion of the head into the head receiving portion, wherein in a pre-locking position of the locking ring, a spring portion on one of the locking ring or the receiving part body engages a corresponding portion on the other one of the locking ring or the receiving part body, forming a stop that restricts the locking ring from assuming the insertion position, and the locking ring exerts a first force onto the head receiving portion, wherein in a locking position of the locking ring, the locking ring exerts a second force greater than the first force onto the head receiving portion to lock the head therein.