34. A spinal fixation system, comprising: a first set of at least two bone anchors having a bone-engaging portion and a receiving portion with opposed arms that receive a fixation element therebetween; a second set of at least one bone anchor; a fixation element disposable between the opposed arms of the receiving portion of the at least two bone anchors of the first set for connecting the bone anchors of the first set; a connecting plate connecting a bone anchor of the first set with a bone anchor of the second set, the connecting plate having a distal surface that bears against a proximal terminal end surface of each of the opposed arms of the receiving portion of the bone anchor of the first set; and a closure mechanism extending through the connecting plate and engaging one of the bone anchors to fix the fixation element within the bone anchor.
34. A spinal fixation system, comprising: a first set of at least two bone anchors having a bone-engaging portion and a receiving portion with opposed arms that receive a fixation element therebetween; a second set of at least one bone anchor; a fixation element disposable between the opposed arms of the receiving portion of the at least two bone anchors of the first set for connecting the bone anchors of the first set; a connecting plate connecting a bone anchor of the first set with a bone anchor of the second set, the connecting plate having a distal surface that bears against a proximal terminal end surface of each of the opposed arms of the receiving portion of the bone anchor of the first set; and a closure mechanism extending through the connecting plate and engaging one of the bone anchors to fix the fixation element within the bone anchor. 35. The spinal fixation system of claim 34 , wherein the bone-engaging portion of at least one bone anchor includes a bone screw portion and a head that mates with the receiving portion, whereby the bone screw portion pivots about a point at the head of the bone screw portion.