A retractor blade comprising a blade body having first and second ends, the first end including means to allow connection of the blade body to a support member, the second end including a first part disposed in a first plane and a second part disposed in a second plane, wherein the first and second parts are orthogonal and at least one of said first and second parts terminates in an end at least part of which includes a contour which generally conforms to a contour of a spinal vertebrae.
