4. A spinal fixation system, comprising: a bone anchor having a bone-engaging portion and a head; a connecting member having first and second ends with a spanning portion extending therebetween, the spanning portion extending at an oblique angle with respect to the first end and at an oblique angle with respect to the second end, at least one of the first and second ends having an opening formed therein, and a portion of the opening being configured to engage a portion of the head at a locked position such that the connecting member is at a fixed location with respect to the bone anchor; and locking member configured to extend through the opening of the first or second end of the connecting member and engage opposed inner walls of opposed arms of the head of the bone anchor in the locked position.
6. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a buttress extending distally from a distal surface of the connecting member, towards the bone anchor when the connecting member is coupled to the bone anchor, and proximate to an opening formed in the second end.