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The latissimus dorsi muscle

The latissimus dorsi muscle consists of a pair of large, flat muscles of the back, each attached by a tendon to the humerus near its upper end just beneath the shoulder on the medial side of the intertubercular groove (Gamboa, 2002; Vogel, 2001, 92-93). The muscle widens out below the tendon and runs under the lower part of the shoulder blades toward the middle of the back, attaching to the bony rearward extensions of the lower thoracic (T6-T12) and lumbar vertebrae and the iliac crest through a flat tendonous sheet. The latissimi work with other muscles to swing the arm downward and backward. They extend, adduct and medially rotate the humerus, and raise the body towards the arms during climbing (Richardson, 2004). Shoulder adduction by the latissimus dorsi also uses the pectorals; horizontal extension of the shoulder involves the rear deltoid and the triceps; and shoulder extension involves the teres major (Muscle, 2005). Synergistic muscles involved in latissimus dorsi pulls include the brachialis, brachioradialis, biceps brachii, teres major, rhomboids levator scapulae, lower trapezius, pectoralis major sternal, and pectoris minor (Dovey, 2002).

The latissimus dorsi has two main functions: to pull the arms to the sides of the body from out-to-the side position (adduction) and pulling the arms down from a horizontal position straight out in front of the body (extension) (Gamboa, 2002; Parsons, 2005). The latissimus dorsi is aided in these two movements by the teres major, which has its origin on the lower edge of the scapulae above the latissimus dorsi and its insertion on the head of the humerus is in virtually the same position as the insertion of the latissimus. When the arms are above the head in the pull-down, and pull-ups, the upward rotation of the scapula accompanying genohumeral abduction causes the latissimus dorsi to effectively downward rotate the scapula by pulling the entire shoulder girdle downward.

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The latissimus dorsi muscle. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:40, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1704766.html