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- Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com – art work Giovanni Rimasti)
ATTACHMENTS:
- The latissimus dorsi attaches from the spinous processes of T7-L5, posterior sacrum, and the posterior iliac crest to the medial lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus.
ACTIONS:
- Medially rotates the arm at the glenohumeral joint
- Adducts the arm at the glenohumeral joint
- Extends the arm at the glenohumeral joint
- Elevates the same-side (ipsilateral) pelvis at the lumbosacral joint.
- Anteriorly tilts the pelvis at the lumbosacral joint.
NOTES:
- The latissimus dorsi is the principal muscle involved in swimming the freestyle/crawl stroke. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as “the swimmer’s muscle” and is usually very well developed in swimmers.
- The latissimus dorsi has the same glenohumeral joint actions as the teres major (medial rotation, adduction, and extension).
- The latissimus dorsi and teres major comprise the posterior axillary fold of tissue.
