A dilator includes a main body and a cross brace assembly. The main body includes a pair of body members movable in parallel relationship with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. The cross brace assembly includes two linkage assemblies, with each linkage assembly having a pair of arms arranged in an X configuration. Each arm includes at least one slidable connection point with the respective body member to which the arm is coupled to facilitate movement of the body members relative to each other.
