Latissimus Dorsi

Latissimus dorsi translates from Latin into English as “The broadest back”, meaning the broadest muscle of the back. The latissimus dorsi is a triangular, flat muscle, located in the posterior shoulder girdle, that joins the upper limb with the axial skeleton and assists in maintaining the proper movements of the upper limb. It covers the lumbar region and the lower half of the thoracic region and is gradually contracted into a narrow fasciculus at its insertion into the humerus.

Latissimus Dorsi

Body Part(s):

Muscle Group(s):

This muscle is responsible or assists with the following joint movement(s):


Exercises that involve this muscle:

Action: Lumbar Spine Lateral Flexion
Action: Scapula Adduction
Action: Scapula Downward Rotation
Action: Shoulder Adduction
Action: Shoulder Medial Rotation
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