Provided are systems related to stabilizing adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae separated by a disc space that include a plate having at least one plate aperture and at least one bone screw sized and shaped to be positioned through the at least one plate aperture. The plate has a first cross-sectional area and thickness near a midline of the plate that is aligned with the intervertebral disc space upon deployment of the system, a second cross-sectional area and thickness located near a superior margin of the plate that is aligned with the superior vertebra, and a third cross-sectional area and thickness located near an inferior margin of the plate that is aligned with the inferior vertebra. The first cross-sectional area and thickness is greater than the second and third cross-sectional areas such that the plate projects in a fusiform manner both toward and away from the intervertebral disc space.
