Semirigid linking piece for stabilizing the spine

A connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae, the connecting member being characterized in that it comprises:

• a flexible part divided into two spaced continuous branches that are substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of said member, the ends of said branches being interconnected in pairs and defining a first median plane, and
• two rigid rod-forming parts each having a fixing first portion and a second portion, each of said second portions of said two rigid parts respectively extending said ends of said branches interconnected in pairs in opposite directions, the cross-section of each of said branches being less than the cross-section of said rigid parts so that said connecting member, said fixing portions of which are fixed to respective anchor members, is able to bend elastically about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said perpendicular axis being contained in said median plane of the connecting member on relative movement of the vertebrae, whereby the vertebrae, which are held spaced relative to each other, are movable relative to each other.