Maximus Gage
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is one of the largest muscles in the human body. It is a large, flat muscle in the lower thorax that stretches across the lower posterior thorax. The lats are responsible for upper extremity movement and serve as a respiratory accessory muscle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Latissimus dorsi muscle |
| Common name | Lats |
| Location | Lower posterior thorax |
| Function | Upper extremity movement |
| Innervation | Thoracodorsal nerve |
| Blood flow | Thoracodorsal branch of the subscapular artery |
| Orientation | Uppermost fibres are horizontal, lower fibres are vertical |
| Width | Widest muscle in the human body |
| Thickness | Relatively thin |
| Coverage | Covers almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius |
| Layer | Superficial layer of the extrinsic back muscles |
| Shoulder joint movement | Internal rotation, adduction, extension, transverse extension, flexion, horizontal abduction |
| Lumbar spine movement | Extension, flexion |
| Respiratory function | Coughing, sneezing |
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What You'll Learn
The latissimus dorsi muscle is the largest muscle of the back
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is the largest muscle of the back. It is a large, flat muscle in the lower thorax, stretching across the lower posterior thorax to the sides, behind the arm. The uppermost fibres of the latissimus dorsi are oriented horizontally, while the lower fibres are oriented more vertically.
The latissimus dorsi is the widest muscle in the human body. It is relatively thin and covers almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. The muscle is innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve, originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (i.e. C6-8).
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi is in upper extremity movement. However, it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle, playing a role in respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing. The muscle is able to pull the inferior angle of the scapula in various directions, producing movements on the shoulder joint; internal rotation, adduction and extension of the arm.
The latissimus dorsi can be injured during exercise, specifically when performing pull-ups and bench presses. Sports injuries, particularly in golf, baseball, or swimming, can cause latissimus dorsi muscle injury. The pain is often located across the back and can radiate to the arms and fingers.
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It is also the widest muscle in the human body
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is the widest muscle in the human body. It is a large, flat muscle in the lower thorax that stretches across the lower posterior thorax. It is relatively thin and covers almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. The uppermost fibres of the latissimus dorsi are oriented horizontally, while the lower fibres are oriented more vertically. The word latissimus dorsi comes from the Latin for 'broadest [muscle] of the back'.
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It is responsible for upper extremity movement
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is one of the largest muscles in the back, stretching across the lower posterior thorax. Its primary function is in upper extremity movement.
The lats are responsible for the internal rotation, adduction and extension of the arm. They can pull the inferior angle of the scapula in various directions, producing movements on the shoulder joint. The muscle is also involved in the extension and flexion of the lumbar spine.
The lats are innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve, originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C6-8). Blood flow to the latissimus dorsi stems from the thoracodorsal branch of the subscapular artery, a branch of the axillary artery.
The latissimus dorsi is the widest muscle in the human body, covering almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. It is relatively thin and flat, stretching to the sides, behind the arm, and is partly covered by the trapezius on the back near the midline.
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It is innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is one of the largest muscles in the back. It is a large, flat muscle that stretches across the lower posterior thorax. Its primary function is in upper extremity movement, but it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle.
The lats muscle is innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve, which originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C6-8). This nerve provides the muscle with the necessary electrical impulses to contract and relax, allowing for movement of the shoulder joint and arm. The nerve is responsible for the muscle's ability to adduct, extend, and internally rotate the shoulder and arm, as well as its role in the extension and flexion of the lumbar spine.
Blood flow to the latissimus dorsi comes from the thoracodorsal branch of the subscapular artery, a branch of the axillary artery. This blood flow is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscle, as well as removing waste products. The latissimus dorsi is a highly vascularised muscle, meaning it has a rich blood supply.
The thoracodorsal nerve is also involved in the sensory functions of the latissimus dorsi muscle. This includes the muscle's ability to sense pressure, temperature, and pain. The nerve transmits sensory information from the muscle to the brain, allowing for the perception of these stimuli.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a crucial part of the body's musculoskeletal system, and the thoracodorsal nerve plays a vital role in its function and health. By providing innervation and blood flow to the muscle, the nerve enables the muscle to contract, relax, and perform its various functions effectively.
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It can be injured during exercise, particularly pull-ups and bench-presses
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the 'lats', is one of the largest muscles of the back, stretching across the lower posterior thorax. It is the widest muscle in the human body, covering almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius. The muscle is responsible for upper extremity movement, as well as internal rotation, adduction and extension of the arm.
The latissimus dorsi can be injured during exercise, particularly pull-ups and bench-presses. This is because these exercises involve a lot of pulling and pushing, which can place a lot of stress on the muscle. If you are not used to doing these exercises, or if you do them with incorrect form, it is easy to injure the lats.
To avoid injury, it is important to warm up properly before attempting pull-ups or bench-presses. This will help to increase blood flow to the muscle and prepare it for the stress of the exercise. It is also important to use correct form when performing these exercises. This means keeping your back straight and your core engaged, and not overextending your arms or shoulders.
If you do injure your latissimus dorsi, the pain will often be located across the back and can radiate to the arms and fingers. It is important to rest the muscle and allow it to heal, and to seek medical advice if the pain is severe or persistent.
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Frequently asked questions
Lats is short for latissimus dorsi, a large flat muscle in the lower thorax.
The latissimus dorsi is located in the lower posterior thorax. It is the widest muscle in the human body and covers almost all back muscles at the posterior trunk, except the trapezius.
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi is in upper extremity movement, but it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle. It is responsible for 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.
The latissimus dorsi originates from the vertebral processes of spinal levels T7-L5.
The latissimus dorsi can be injured during exercise, particularly when performing pull-ups and bench presses. Sports injuries, especially in golf, baseball, or swimming, can also cause latissimus dorsi muscle injury.
