A mounting adapter has a proximal end for interfacing with a surgical stabilizer arm and a distal end for interfacing with a tissue manipulator tool. The adapter includes a receiver body defining a bore having an opening at the distal end for receiving the shaft of a manipulator tool. The receiver body has a detent projecting radially into the bore. A ball stem projects at the proximal end and is configured for insertion into a collet of the stabilizer arm. The detent is radially displaceable between 1) a radially outward position when the adapter is in an unlocked state in which the shaft of the manipulator tool is slidable into or out of the bore and 2) a radially inward position when the adapter is in a locked state in which the detent captures the shaft of the manipulator tool.