Surgical stapler having locking articulation joint

A surgical instrument comprising: an elongate shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis; a jaw assembly positioned at the distal end of the elongate shaft; an articulation joint coupling the elongate shaft to the jaw assembly, the articulation joint having an unlatched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotable with respect to the elongate shaft upon application of an external force to the jaw assembly and a latched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotally secured with respect to the elongate shaft, and the articulation joint comprising a plurality of latch recesses, each latch recess having an open end and a closed end proximal the open end; and a latch member having a proximal end and a distal end, the latch member slidable between a proximal position in which the distal end of the latch member is positioned between the open end and the closed end of one of the latch recesses in engagement with the one of the latch recesses corresponding to the latched configuration of the articulation joint and a distal position distal of the open end of the one of the latch recesses and out of engagement with the plurality of latch recesses corresponding to the unlatched configuration of the articulation joint 19407296_1 (GHMatters) P108001.AU.2