Dominic Stone
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the lats, is a large, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax. The muscle's primary function is to move the upper extremity, but it is also considered an accessory muscle of respiration. The latissimus dorsi is the broadest muscle of the back, stretching across the back and to the pelvis. It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension, flexion from an extended position, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint. It also has a synergistic role in extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Latissimus dorsi |
| Colloquial name | Lats |
| Location | Lower posterior thorax |
| Function | Upper extremity movement, accessory muscle of respiration |
| Synergistic role | Extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine |
| Active during | Deep inspiration, forceful expiration, coughing, sneezing |
| Injury treatment | Rest, ice, compression, elevation, NSAIDs |
| Use cases | Rowing, swimming, climbing, bench presses, pull-ups, chin-ups |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The latissimus dorsi is the broadest muscle of the back
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm, and is partly covered by the trapezius on the back near the midline. The word "latissimus dorsi" comes from Latin and means "broadest [muscle] of the back", derived from "latissimus" (Latin for broadest) and "dorsum" (Latin for back). The pair of muscles are commonly referred to as "lats," especially among bodybuilders.
The latissimus dorsi is responsible for several functions, including extension, adduction, transverse extension (also known as horizontal abduction or horizontal extension), flexion from an extended position, and medial internal rotation of the shoulder joint. It also plays a role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. By bypassing the scapulothoracic joints and attaching directly to the spine, the actions of the latissimus dorsi in moving the arms can influence the movement of the scapulae, such as their downward rotation during a pull-up.
The latissimus dorsi is a climbing muscle. When the arms are fixed above the head, it works with the pectoralis major to raise the trunk upward and forward, as in climbing or performing a chin-up. This muscle is also active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions like coughing and sneezing.
The latissimus dorsi has a broad attachment to several vertebral spinous processes and the thoracolumbar fascia. It receives its blood supply from the thoracodorsal artery and the dorsal perforating branches of the posterior intercostal and lumbar arteries. The thoracodorsal nerve provides innervation to the muscle. The skin covering the latissimus dorsi is supplied by roots T4 to T12 and the dorsal rami of L1 to L3.
Attract a Muscle Bear: Tips for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is commonly known as the 'lats'
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the lats, is one of the largest muscles in the human body. The word latissimus dorsi comes from Latin and means "broadest [muscle] of the back", derived from "latissimus" (Latin for broadest) and "dorsum" (Latin for back). The pair of muscles are often referred to as the "lats", especially in bodybuilding circles. The lats are large, flat muscles located below the shoulder blade, stretching across the back to the pelvis. They are triangular in shape and are considered the widest muscles in the human body.
The primary function of the lats is to move the upper extremity, but they also play a role in respiration. They assist in pulling the trunk upward and forward, especially when the arms are fixed overhead, as in climbing or performing a chin-up. The lats are also active during deep inspiration and forceful expiration, such as coughing and sneezing. They help expand the rib cage during inhalation, potentially increasing the volume of air entering the lungs, and contract the thorax and abdomen during exhalation.
The lats are responsible for several movements of the shoulder joint, including extension, adduction, transverse extension (horizontal abduction), flexion from an extended position, and medial internal rotation. They also have a synergistic role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. The lats bypass the scapulothoracic joints and attach directly to the spine, influencing the movement of the scapulae, such as their downward rotation during a pull-up.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a potential source of tissue for breast reconstruction surgery and can be used to correct certain congenital defects. It can also be utilised in cardiomyoplasty, a procedure that supports the heart in patients with low cardiac output who are not candidates for transplantation. Injuries to the lats are rare but can occur, especially in baseball pitchers, due to overuse, poor posture, or improper form during sports and exercise.
The Intestine Conundrum: Is It a Muscle?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It originates from several locations, including vertebrae T7-L5
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the "lats", is the broadest muscle of the back, stretching across the back from the shoulder blades to the pelvis. The muscle originates from several locations, including the spinous processes of vertebrae T7-L5, the thoracolumbar fascia, the posterior iliac crest, the lower third or fourth ribs, and the inferior angle of the scapula.
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax. It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension (also known as horizontal abduction), flexion from an extended position, and medial internal rotation of the shoulder joint. The muscle's primary function is in the upper extremity, but it is also considered a respiratory accessory muscle.
The latissimus dorsi has a synergistic role in the extension (posterior fibres) and lateral flexion (anterior fibres) of the lumbar spine. It assists in forced expiration by compressing the rib cage and acts as an accessory muscle of inspiration. The muscle is active in moving the trunk forward and upward when the upper extremities are fixed overhead, as in climbing or performing an activity such as a chin-up.
The latissimus dorsi is a crucial muscle for various physical activities, such as rowing, swimming (especially during the downstroke), and chopping. It is also active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing. The muscle assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
HMB's Role in Muscle Preservation: What's the Science?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It assists with the breathing process
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm. It is commonly known as the "
The latissimus dorsi is active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing. During a cough or sneeze, the muscle can be felt pressing forcibly inward, as it acts to compress the thorax and abdomen. It assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
The muscle fibres are situated in various orientations, with the uppermost fibres almost horizontally oriented and the lower fibres much more vertically oriented on the thorax. As the muscle fibres extend toward the axilla, they wind around the anterior aspect of the teres major muscle to insert as a flat tendon on the floor of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus.
The latissimus dorsi is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal nerve. It is supplied predominantly by the thoracodorsal artery, a continuation of the subscapular artery, which is a branch of the third part of the axillary artery.
The process of breathing involves the diaphragm, a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen, and other muscles that help move the rib cage, such as the intercostal and neck muscles. The diaphragm contracts to increase the length and diameter of the chest cavity, expanding the lungs. The latissimus dorsi, as an accessory muscle of inspiration, assists in this process of inhalation by altering the anteroposterior dimension of the chest cavity, thereby contributing to the breathing process.
Mastering Eye Muscle Memory: Tricks to Remember Them All
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is a climbing, rowing and swimming muscle
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a broad, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax. It is a climbing, rowing, and swimming muscle.
When climbing, the latissimus dorsi muscle moves the trunk forward and upward when the upper extremities are fixed overhead. For example, when performing a chin-up, the muscle pulls the body up. It also assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
The latissimus dorsi is an important muscle in rowing, especially during the downstroke. It is one of the many muscles used in rowing, which engages about 80% of the body's muscles.
The muscle is also essential in swimming. Swimming is a full-body workout that engages nearly all muscle groups. The latissimus dorsi is active during forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing, and it attaches to the ribs. It also assists in reaching and pulling the arms during strokes.
Overall, the latissimus dorsi muscle plays a crucial role in climbing, rowing, and swimming by providing the necessary power and movement for these activities.
Loosening Your Booty Muscles: Tips and Tricks for Flexibility
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the "lats", is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm.
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi muscle is to move the upper extremity, but it is also considered an accessory muscle of respiration. It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension, flexion from an extended position, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is located in the lower posterior thorax, below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine.
The latissimus dorsi muscle can be strengthened through exercises such as rowing, swimming, pull-ups, chin-ups, and dumbbell rows.
An injury to the latissimus dorsi muscle can cause pain across the back, shoulders, and scapula, and may even radiate to the inside of the upper arms and down to the fingers. Treatment for an injured latissimus dorsi muscle includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, as well as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication if the pain or swelling is severe.
