an artificial interbody spinal implant adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies is disclosed . the implant has an asymmetrical leading end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas , such as the apophyseal rim and the apophyseal rim area , of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies without protruding therefrom . the asymmetrical leading end allows for the safe use of an implant of maximum length for the implantation space into which it is installed . the implant can also include an asymmetric trailing end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies .