How to Identify the Latissimus Dorsi

The latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle on the back. It is triangular in shape and covers the lower half of the thoracic area and the lumbar region. The latissimus dorsi is generally a superficial muscle, although it is partially covered by the spinotrapezius in the middle of the dorsal area. The following steps will aid you in identifying the latissimus dorsi.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Read up on Latin roots to know that "latissimus" means "widest" and "dorsi" means "of the back." This muscle is the "widest of the back" muscles.
2. Examine the latissimus dorsi to see that it adducts the humerus, medially rotates the humerus and downwardly rotates the scapula. The latissimus dorsi is important in bodybuilding and is primarily trained with multiple compound movements, including deadlifts, pull-downs, pull-overs, pull-ups and rows.
3. Observe how the latissimus dorsi originates from the spinous process of the seventh thoracic to the fifth lumbar vertebrae, the upper two to three sacral segments, the iliac crest and the lower three or four ribs.
4. Look at the insertion of the latissimus dorsi into the lateral lip of the intertubercular groove. The tendon twists so that the fibers with the highest origination have the lowest insertion.
5. Research the nervous system to know that the nerve for the latissimus dorsi is the thoracodorsal nerve from the sixth through eighth cranial nerves. Study the circulatory system to know that the blood supply for the latissimus dorsi is the thoracodorsal artery.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• Flexible Scheduling, Online Programs, Get Info Now