LOCKING STRUCTURES FOR AFFIXING BONE ANCHORS TO A BONE PLATE, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A bone plate includes an upper surface, an opposed lower surface configured to face a bone, and at least one aperture extending through the bone plate from the upper to the lower surface along a central aperture axis. The aperture is defined by an interior surface of the bone plate. The interior surface defines a plurality of columns sequentially located about a circumference of the interior surface and a plurality of recesses located circumferentially between the columns. Each of the columns is configured to undergo deformation at least in a radial direction perpendicular to the central aperture axis responsive to engagement with a head of a locking bone screw that is receivable within the at least one aperture so as to lock the head to the bone plate. The plurality of columns comprises at least five columns.