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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 muscle's primary function is of the upper extremity. It is an important muscle in rowing, swimming, and chopping. The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy or to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome.
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What You'll Learn
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a large, flat muscle on the back
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a broad muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax. It is one of the main stabilisers of the spine during its various movements. The muscle's primary function is in the upper extremity, but it is also considered a respiratory accessory muscle. The latissimus dorsi works collaboratively with the teres major and pectoralis major to perform actions of the upper extremity. Together, these muscles work to adduct, medially rotate, and extend the arm at the glenohumeral joint.
The latissimus dorsi muscle 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 skin covering the muscle is supplied by roots T4 to T12, inclusive by both ventral and dorsal rami, as well as the dorsal rami of L1 to L3. The latissimus dorsi muscle is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal nerve.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is implicated in posterior shoulder dislocations following seizures or electrical shocks/electrocutions. Tightness in this muscle can manifest as either sub-optimal glenohumeral joint (shoulder) function, leading to chronic pain, or tendinitis in the tendinous fasciae connecting the latissimus dorsi to the thoracic and lumbar spine. The latissimus dorsi is also active during deep inspiration and with forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing.
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It is a climbing, rowing, and swimming muscle
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle that covers the lower half of the back. It is the only muscle that connects the arm to the spine and is, therefore, a key muscle for upper extremity function. It is also considered a respiratory accessory muscle.
The latissimus dorsi is a climbing muscle. With the arms fixed above the head, it can raise the trunk upwards, with the help of the pectoralis major. It is also an important muscle for swimmers, especially during the downstroke, and for rowers. The latissimus dorsi can be used to pull the arms back and down to the sides, and to rotate the arms in towards the centre of the body. It is, therefore, a very useful muscle for swimmers and rowers, who require these movements to perform their sports.
The latissimus dorsi is also essential for smooth and fluid movements of the upper extremity. It works with the teres major and pectoralis major muscles to perform actions of the upper extremity. Together, these muscles adduct, medially rotate and extend the arm at the glenohumeral joint. The latissimus dorsi also assist in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
The latissimus dorsi is a powerful muscle that can be used to do the 'heavy lifting' when climbing. If climbers do not engage their latissimus dorsi, their arms will fatigue quickly as smaller muscles are forced to do more work. It is also important for patients with low back pain to assess the length and flexibility of the latissimus dorsi due to its attachments to the spine and pelvis.
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It works with the teres major and pectoralis major muscles
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a large, flat muscle that covers most of the lower posterior thorax. It is the largest muscle of the upper body. The muscle's primary function is of the upper extremity, but it is also considered a respiratory accessory muscle. The latissimus dorsi muscle works with the teres major and pectoralis major muscles to perform actions of the upper extremity.
The teres major is a thick muscle of the shoulder joint. It spans from the inferior aspect of the scapula to the proximal part of the humeral shaft. It is one of four rotator cuff muscles that is involved in many shoulder pathologies, including quadrangular space syndrome. The latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles are closely related embryologically as they both originate from the pre-muscle sheath of the arm. The teres major is involved in movements of the arm on the shoulder joint. By contracting, it pulls the humerus posteriorly (extension) and rotates it medially towards the trunk (internal rotation). It also contributes to the stabilization of the shoulder joint.
The pectoralis major muscle has a large muscle belly on the anterior surface of the chest wall, superficial to the pectoralis minor. It is composed of a sternocostal head and a clavicular head. The latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major muscles work together to adduct, medially rotate, and extend the arm at the glenohumeral joint. They also assist in depressing the arm. The latissimus dorsi, along with the pectoralis major, is active in moving the trunk forward and upward when the upper extremities are fixed overhead, as in climbing or performing a chin-up. This muscle pairing is important in rowing, swimming (especially during the downstroke), and chopping.
Proper function and coordination between the latissimus dorsi, teres major, and pectoralis major muscles are essential for smooth and fluid movements of the upper extremity. For patients with low back pain, it is important to assess the length and flexibility of the latissimus dorsi due to its attachments to the spine and pelvis. Tightness in the latissimus dorsi can lead to sub-optimal glenohumeral joint (shoulder) function, resulting in chronic shoulder pain or tendinitis.
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It is one of the main stabilisers of the spine
The latissimus dorsi muscle 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" means "broadest of the back" in Latin. The muscle is also referred to as the "'lats', especially among bodybuilders.
The latissimus dorsi is one of the main stabilisers of the spine during its various movements. It spans over the lumbar and lower thoracic regions of the back, with its fibres converging towards the proximal humerus. The muscle has a synergistic role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. It also assists as a muscle of both forced expiration (anterior fibres) and an accessory muscle of inspiration (posterior fibres).
The latissimus dorsi is attached to the spine and pelvis, and its proper function and coordination with other muscles are essential for smooth and fluid movements of the upper extremity. A decrease in length or an increase in stiffness of this muscle can lead to alterations in movement patterns and/or postures, which can exacerbate low back pain. Tightness in the latissimus dorsi can manifest as either sub-optimal glenohumeral joint (shoulder) function or tendinitis in the tendinous fasciae connecting the muscle to the spine.
The latissimus dorsi works collaboratively with the teres major and pectoralis major to perform actions of the upper extremity, including adduction, medial rotation, and extension of the arm at the glenohumeral joint. Together, these muscles also help in climbing, rowing, and swimming movements.
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It is implicated in posterior shoulder dislocations
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle on the back, stretching to the sides, behind the arm. It is also referred to as the '
The latissimus dorsi is implicated in posterior shoulder dislocations, which account for less than 10% of all shoulder instability cases. However, patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) are predisposed to both posterior and multidirectional shoulder instability. In such cases, the failure rate of arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy and posterior labral repairs can be high, and patients may be left with limited treatment options.
The latissimus dorsi is one of the powerful internal rotators of the arm, along with the pectoralis muscles and the subscapularis. In the event of a seizure or electrical shock, these internal rotators can overpower the external rotators, causing internal rotation of the shoulder with posterior and superior displacement, leading to a posterior shoulder dislocation.
The tendon of the latissimus dorsi can also play a role in restraining the humeral head from dropping inferiorly or leading to a spontaneous reduction of a dislocation. This effect is dependent on the anatomy of the latissimus dorsi and is observed in the infrequent situation of humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligaments.
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Frequently asked questions
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 primary function of the latissimus dorsi is to extend, adduct, and medially rotate the arm. It also aids in deep inspiration and expiration (respiratory functions).
The latissimus dorsi originates from the spine, specifically the spinous processes of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae. It inserts on the anterior aspect of the proximal humerus, specifically in the intertubercular groove or bicipital groove.
Tightness or shortening of the latissimus dorsi muscle can contribute to chronic shoulder pain and back pain. It is also implicated in posterior shoulder dislocations following seizures or electrical shocks. Additionally, it is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery and other procedures such as cardiomyoplasty for heart patients.
