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The latissimus dorsi, commonly known as the 'lats', are broad, flat muscles that are located in the middle of the back, stretching from the shoulder blades to the pelvis. They are one of the largest muscles in the back and are essential for upper extremity movement, as well as serving as accessory respiratory muscles. The latissimus dorsi muscles play a crucial role in activities such as climbing, swimming, and performing pull-ups, and they help stabilise the back during shoulder movements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Latissimus Dorsi, Lats |
| Location | Located below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine |
| Size | One of the largest muscles in the back |
| Shape | Triangular, broad, and flat |
| Function | Extension, adduction, transverse extension, flexion from an extended position, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint |
| Innervation | Thoracodorsal nerve, originating from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus |
| Blood Flow | Thoracodorsal branch of the subscapular artery, a branch of the axillary artery |
| Attachments | Vertebrae T7-L5, thoracolumbar fascia, posterior iliac crest, lower three or four ribs, and the inferior angle of the scapula |
| Injuries | Rare but can occur during sports or exercises such as baseball, golf, swimming, pull-ups, and bench presses |
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What You'll Learn
- The latissimus dorsi is one of the largest muscles in the back
- It is located below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine
- The muscle is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone
- It is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves
- The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery
The latissimus dorsi is one of the largest muscles in the back
The latissimus dorsi, commonly referred to as the "
The latissimus dorsi muscles are considered climbing, rowing, and swimming muscles. They are responsible for several functions, including extension, adduction, transverse extension, flexion from an extended position, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint. The latissimus dorsi also play a role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine.
The latissimus dorsi muscles have various origins, including the spinous processes of vertebrae T7-L5, the thoracolumbar fascia, posterior iliac crest, lower three or four ribs, and the inferior angle of the scapula. The uppermost fibres of the muscle are oriented horizontally, while the lower fibres are oriented more vertically on the thorax.
The latissimus dorsi muscles are accessory respiratory muscles, assisting with both deep inspiration and expiration. They enhance the movements of the trunk during inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation, the latissimus dorsi muscles lift and expand the circumference of the rib cage, potentially increasing the volume of air entering the lungs. During exhalation, they help decrease the circumference of the trunk, which may aid in forcing more air out.
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It is located below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly referred to as the "lats", is located below the shoulder blade and to the left and right of the spine. It is one of the largest muscles in the back, stretching across the lower posterior thorax. The muscle is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone. The latissimus dorsi is a broad, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax.
The latissimus dorsi is located in the middle of the back and is partially covered by the trapezius muscle. It originates along the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7) region of the spine and extends to its insertion point on the upper arm bone, just below the shoulder joint, known as the humerus. The muscle also covers the lower tip of the scapula, or shoulder blade. The uppermost fibres of the latissimus dorsi are oriented horizontally, while the lower fibres are oriented more vertically on the thorax.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is essential for upper extremity movement and plays a role in the extension, adduction, and internal rotation of the shoulder joint. It assists in pulling the trunk upward and forward, which is crucial for activities such as climbing, swimming, and performing pull-ups. The muscle also aids in respiratory functions, helping to expand the rib cage during inhalation and decreasing the circumference of the trunk during exhalation.
The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery and can be used in cardiomyoplasty procedures to support a failing heart. Injuries to the latissimus dorsi are relatively rare but can occur during exercises such as pull-ups and bench presses, especially in sports such as baseball and swimming.
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The muscle is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the "lats", is one of the largest muscles in the back. It is a broad, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower posterior thorax. The muscle is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone. It is located in the middle of the back and is partially covered by the trapezius. The latissimus dorsi originates along the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7) region of the spine and extends to its insertion point on the humerus. The muscle also covers the lower tip of the scapula, or shoulder blade.
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi is in upper extremity movement, but it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle. It is a climbing muscle, a rowing muscle, and a swimming muscle. 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 extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine.
The latissimus dorsi is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal nerve (a branch of the brachial plexus). The thoracodorsal artery, a continuation of the subscapular artery, supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle. It enters the muscle on its costal surface, medial to the lateral border, and a few centimetres from the subscapular artery.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. It may also be used to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome. Injuries to the latissimus dorsi are rare but can be debilitating when they occur. They occur disproportionately in baseball pitchers.
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It is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves
The latissimus dorsi muscle is one of the largest muscles in the back, stretching across the lower posterior thorax. Its primary function is in upper extremity movement, but it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle. The muscle is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves, also known as the long scapular nerve or thoracodorsal nerve. This nerve branches from the brachial plexus' posterior cord and follows the route of the subscapular artery.
The thoracodorsal nerve controls the latissimus dorsi muscle, which originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C6-C8). The nerve is a branch of the subscapular artery, a major blood vessel supplying the muscles of the back and shoulder. The thoracodorsal nerve provides motor and sensory function to the latissimus dorsi, allowing for complex movements and coordination.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a broad, flat muscle that occupies the majority of the lower back region. It is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone. The muscle is located in the middle of the back and is partially covered by the trapezius muscle. It originates along the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7) region of the spine and extends to its insertion point on the upper arm bone, just below the shoulder joint.
The latissimus dorsi muscle has several important functions. It assists in the movement of the upper extremities, such as the arms and shoulders. It is also a climbing muscle, a rowing muscle, and a swimming muscle. The muscle helps to stabilise the scapula against the thoracic cage during movements on the shoulder joint. Additionally, it is an accessory respiratory muscle, assisting with both deep inspiration and expiration by elevating or depressing the ribs.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is a potential source of muscle flap for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. It may also be used to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome. Injuries to the latissimus dorsi are rare but can be debilitating when they occur. They can cause chronic shoulder and neck pain and tendonitis of the shoulder joint.
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The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery
The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle that covers the majority of the lower posterior thorax. The muscle is responsible for the extension, adduction, internal rotation of the shoulder joint, and transverse extension and flexion from an extended position. It also plays a role in the extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. The latissimus dorsi is a potential source of muscle for breast reconstruction surgery, particularly after a mastectomy. This procedure is known as a latissimus dorsi flap, or LD flap, and involves moving tissue from the back to the front of the chest, with the arteries and veins still attached.
The versatility of the latissimus dorsi flap makes it a valuable tool in reconstructive surgery, providing ample soft tissue coverage with excellent skin colour and texture match. It can be used as both a pedicled and free tissue transfer method, and its rich vascularization ensures flap viability. The LD flap can be used to fill in misshapen areas after breast conservation surgery or to correct pectoral hypoplastic defects such as Poland's syndrome. It is also commonly used in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, particularly when the pectoralis major muscle is insufficient to cover an implant completely or is too thin to ensure stability.
One study found that patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap were less satisfied with back and shoulder function compared to those who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. Older age, axillary surgery, and axillary radiotherapy were also predictors of low back and shoulder function. However, another study found that all flap reconstruction methods except latissimus dorsi flap surgery had a greater likelihood of reoperative complications.
The latissimus dorsi flap procedure can result in a bulky area underneath the armpit, which may decrease over time but may never completely disappear. Additionally, the LD flap may not provide enough fatty tissue to recreate a breast, so an implant or tissue expander is often used in conjunction. Overall, the latissimus dorsi flap is a highly versatile and effective option for breast reconstruction surgery, offering solutions for complex defects.
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Frequently asked questions
The latissimus dorsi muscle, commonly known as the "lats", is one of the largest muscles in the back. The muscle is divided into two segments, which are configured symmetrically along the backbone.
The latissimus dorsi muscle is located in the middle of the back, below the shoulder blade, and to the left and right of the spine. It originates from the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7) region of the spine and extends to its insertion point on the humerus.
The word latissimus dorsi comes from Latin and means "broadest of the back", from "latissimus" (Latin: broadest) and "dorsum" (Latin: back).
The primary function of the latissimus dorsi muscle is in upper extremity movement, but it also serves as a respiratory accessory muscle. It assists in depression, extension, and internal rotation of the shoulder. It also helps with breathing by lifting the rib cage during inhalation and decreasing the circumference of the trunk during exhalation.
Yes, the latissimus dorsi muscle can be injured during exercise, particularly during pull-ups, bench presses, and sports such as golf, baseball, or swimming. Injuries may include rips and tears, which can cause chronic shoulder and neck pain, and tendonitis of the shoulder joint.
