A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm having first and second end portions, a coupling element having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element.
