Stabilizing bone using spinal fixation devices and systems

A method of stabilizing bone, comprising:

• providing a coupling element having a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis and a seating portion, wherein said first and second longitudinal axes are transverse to one another and wherein the first and second bores are within an integral portion of a monolithic inner surface of the coupling element and an anchoring element having a head and a shaft;
• inserting the shaft of the anchoring element through the first and second bores to position the head of the anchoring element within the seating portion in the second bore;
• and
• securing the shaft of the anchoring element in bone.

A method of stabilizing bone, comprising:

• providing a coupling element having a first bore extending from an upper surface and coaxial with a first longitudinal axis and a second bore extending from a lower surface and coaxial with a second longitudinal axis and a seating portion, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are transverse to one another and the first bore at the upper surface has a first diameter and the second bore at the lower surface has a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and an anchoring element having a head and a shaft;
• inserting the shaft of the anchoring element through the first and second bores to position the head of the anchoring element within the seating portion in the second bore;
• and
• securing the shaft of the anchoring element in bone.