An intervertebral disk prosthesis for the total replacement of an intervertebral disk of the cervical or lumbar spine has an upper plate (2) having on its upper surface upwardly projecting formations (3) anchoring it to an upper vertebra and a concavity (8) on its lower inner surface surrounded by an edge. A lower plate (1) is provided with downwardly projecting formations (3) on its lower surface anchoring it to a lower vertebra and with a flat upper inner surface surrounding a guide groove (7) extending front - to -back with a first body stop on the back and/or a second body stop on the front. An intermediate sliding plate (13) between the upper and lower plate (2,1) has on its upper surface a convexity (4) that is identically or differently shaped to the concavity (8) on the lower inner surface of the upper plate (2), and on its lower surface a guide ridge (5) extending front - to -back surrounded by a flat surface. The guide ridge (5) of the intermediate sliding plate (13) has flanks and the guide groove (7) of the lower plate (1) houses the guide ridge (5) of the intermediate sliding plate (13) and permits the intermediate sliding plate (13) via its guide ridge (5) to slide front - to -back within the guide groove (7) as translational motion, while in the sliding area of the convexity (4) of the intermediate sliding plate (13) and of the concavity (8) of the upper plate (2) limited extension, flexion, lateral bending to right and left side, and axial rotation to both sides takes place.
