An artificial spinal disk prosthesis comprised of an artificial disk (101), mounting bracket (105) assembly that secures the disk to at least one vertebrae and a sliding rod (104) that connects the two whereby the shape of the components determines the range of motion of the disk, thus allowing desirable motions of the disk consistent with normal body motions and preventing undesirable motions of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the angular motion of the disk is controlled by a hinge that is on the side of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the artificial disc is connected to the spine via one vertebra.