Logan Steele
The latissimus dorsi, commonly known as the lats, are the broadest muscles of the back. They are large, flat, triangular muscles located below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine. The lats are involved in various functions, including arm movement, spine stabilization, and breathing. They are also utilized in activities such as swimming, climbing, and rowing. The latissimus dorsi muscles work in conjunction with other muscles, such as the teres major and pectoralis major, to produce a wide range of movements in the human body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Latissimus dorsi |
| Colloquial name | Lats |
| Location | Lower posterior thorax |
| Function | Moving the upper extremity |
| Type of muscle | Broad, flat muscle |
| Synergistic role | Extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine |
| Accessory muscle | Inspiration |
| Active during | Deep inspiration, coughing, sneezing, climbing, chin-ups, swimming, violent expiration |
| Attachments | Vertebral part, Costal part, Scapular part, Iliac part |
| Nerve | Thoracodorsal nerve |
| Artery | Thoracodorsal artery |
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What You'll Learn
- The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle in the lower thorax
- It is also known as the 'lats', especially among bodybuilders
- It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint
- The latissimus dorsi is a climbing, rowing, and swimming muscle
- It is an accessory muscle of respiration
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle in the lower thorax
The latissimus dorsi 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. It also plays a role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. The muscle attaches directly to the spine, bypassing the scapulothoracic joints, and so can influence the movement of the scapulae. For example, during a pull-up, the latissimus dorsi is active in the downward rotation of the scapulae.
The latissimus dorsi is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal nerve. It works with the teres major and pectoralis major muscles to adduct, extend, and internally rotate the shoulder. Together, these muscles also assist in depressing the arm. When the arms are in a fixed overhead position, the latissimus dorsi pulls the trunk upward and forward. This is useful in activities such as climbing or performing a chin-up.
The latissimus dorsi is also active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing. It attaches to the ribs and assists in violent expiration. During a cough or sneeze, the muscle can be felt pressing forcibly inward as it acts to compress the thorax and abdomen. The muscle also assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
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It is also known as the 'lats', especially among bodybuilders
The lateral muscle you are likely referring to is the latissimus dorsi, commonly known as the lats, especially among bodybuilders. The name "latissimus dorsi" comes from Latin and means "broadest muscle of the back". It 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 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. It also has a synergistic role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. The muscle assists in forced expiration by compressing the rib cage and is also active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions such as coughing and sneezing.
The latissimus dorsi is a climbing muscle. With the arms fixed above the head, it can raise the trunk upwards, together with the help of pectoralis major. It is an important muscle in rowing, swimming (especially during the downstroke), and chopping. 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.
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. It is also used in cardiomyoplasty, a procedure that supports the failing heart by wrapping the latissimus dorsi muscles around the heart and electrostimulating them in synchrony with ventricular systole.
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It is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides and behind the arm. The muscle fibres extend towards the axilla and insert as a flat tendon on the floor of the intertubercular sulcus. The latissimus dorsi is the muscle responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint.
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi is the movement of the upper extremity, but it is also considered a respiratory accessory muscle. It is a climbing muscle, and with the arms fixed above the head, it can raise the trunk upwards. It is important in rowing, swimming, and chopping. The muscle is also active in moving the trunk forward and upward when the upper extremities are fixed overhead, as in performing a chin-up.
The latissimus dorsi is also 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. The muscle assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. It is also used to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome. An absent or hypoplastic latissimus dorsi can be one of the associated symptoms of Poland's syndrome.
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The latissimus dorsi is a climbing, rowing, and swimming muscle
The latissimus dorsi, commonly known as the "lats", is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm. It is the widest muscle in the human body and covers almost all back muscles at the
The latissimus dorsi is a climbing muscle. With the arms fixed above the head, it can raise the trunk upwards, together with the help of the pectoralis major. It is also an important muscle in rowing and swimming, especially during the downstroke. The muscle is also active in violent expiration, as it attaches to the ribs. During a cough or sneeze, the muscle can be felt pressing forcibly inward, as it acts to compress the thorax and abdomen. The muscle assists in holding the scapula against the thorax during upper limb movements.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is also considered to be a respiratory accessory muscle. It is active during deep inspiration and forceful respiratory functions, such as coughing and sneezing. It assists in forced expiration by compressing the rib cage. 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.
The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. It can also be used to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome. For heart patients with low cardiac output, a procedure called cardiomyoplasty may support the failing heart by wrapping the latissimus dorsi muscles around the heart and electrostimulating them in synchrony with ventricular systole.
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It is an accessory muscle of respiration
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly referred to as the "lats", is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides and behind the arm. It is one of the largest muscles in the human body and is considered an accessory muscle of respiration.
The latissimus dorsi has a broad attachment to several vertebral spinous processes and the thoracolumbar fascia. It occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax, with its uppermost fibres oriented horizontally and its lower fibres oriented vertically. The muscle originates from several locations, including the spinous processes of vertebrae T7-L5, the thoracolumbar fascia, posterior iliac crest, lower third or fourth ribs, and the inferior angle of the scapula.
Due to its broad attachment and ability to influence the movement of the scapulae, the latissimus dorsi plays a role in respiration. It is active during deep inspiration and forceful expiration, assisting with coughing and sneezing. The muscle helps to elevate or depress the ribs, depending on which of its fibres are activated. During a cough or sneeze, the latissimus dorsi can be felt pressing forcibly inward as it acts to compress the thorax and abdomen.
The latissimus dorsi also has a synergistic role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. It assists in moving the trunk forward and upward when the upper extremities are fixed overhead, as in climbing or performing a chin-up. This muscle is important in rowing, swimming, and chopping, and it can be injured during exercise or sports that involve these movements.
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Frequently asked questions
The lateral muscles, also known as the latissimus dorsi muscles, are located in the lower posterior thorax. They are the largest muscles of the back, stretching across the back and to the sides, behind the arms.
The lateral muscles are responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension (also known as horizontal abduction), flexion from an extended position, and medial internal rotation of the shoulder joint. They also assist with the breathing process by enhancing the movements of the trunk during inhalation and exhalation.
Common exercises that engage the lateral muscles include rowing, swimming, weightlifting, pull-ups, and bench presses. Specific sports that can strengthen the lateral muscles include golf, baseball, skiing, tennis, and swimming.
If the lateral muscles are injured, an individual may feel pain across their entire back, shoulders, and scapula. The pain may also radiate to the inside of the upper arms and down to the fingers. Treatment for an injured lateral muscle includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) may also be recommended to reduce pain and swelling.
