Latissimus Dorsi
Integrated functional anatomy of the latissimus dorsi. Attachments, nerves, palpation, joint actions, arthrokinematics, fascia, triggerpoints, and behavior in postural dysfunction. Common activation exercises, foam rolling, stretching, and strengthening exercises for the lats.
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Course Description: Latissimus Dorsi
This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the latissimus dorsi muscle (a.k.a. the lats, lats muscle, back muscle, and lat dorsi muscle). This muscle originates on the thoracic vertebrae, thoracolumbar fascia, lumbar vertebrae, iliac crest, and inferior angle of the scapula (shoulder blade), inserts into the intertubercular groove of the humerus (upper arm), and is innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve. This muscle is the largest skeletal muscle of the upper body, and is located on the posterior thorax (trunk and ribs); superficial to the lumbar extensors and core muscles. The latissimus dorsi is composed of an even distribution of type I muscles fibers and type II muscle fibers; however, the muscle fiber composition may be biased toward type II fibers. The latissimus dorsi muscle crosses the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint), is the prime mover of shoulder adduction and extension, will contribute to shoulder internal rotation, and may contribute to lumbar extension, lumbar lateral flexion, and lumbar rotation. This course also describes the role of the latissimus dorsi muscle in glenohumeral arthrokinematics, fascial integration, postural dysfunction, and subsystem integration. Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the integrated function of the latissimus dorsi for the detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical rehabilitation (e.g. loss of extensibility (tight lats), latissimus dorsi muscle strain, thoracodorsal nerve injury, recovery from latissimus dorsi flap orthopedic surgery, shoulder impingement, etc.), the synergistic function of the latissimus dorsi (e.g. extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar vertebra in synergy with the erector spinae), and latissimus dorsi exercises and techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. shoulder stability, strength, power, upper arm and back hypertrophy, etc.).
Pre-approved credits for:
Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:
- Athletic Trainers
- Chiropractors
- Group Exercise Instructors
- Massage Therapists
- Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
- Personal Trainers
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Physiotherapists
- Yoga Instructors
This Course Includes:
- AI Tutor
- Text and Illustrations
- Audio Voice-over
- Research Review
- Technique Videos
- Practice Exam
- Pre-approved Final Exam
Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the Latissimus Dorsi (see videos below):
- Release: Latissimus Dorsi Self-administered Release Technique
- Stretch: Child's Pose
- Manual: Manual Latissimus Dorsi and Internal Rotator Stretch

Introduction to the Latissimus Dorsi3 Sub Sections
Latissimus Dorsi Actions1 Sub Section
Fascial Integration1 Sub Section
Postural Dysfunction and the Latissimus Dorsi
Exercises and Techniques for the Latissimus Dorsi5 Sub Sections
Latissimus Dorsi Strengthening Progressions7 Sub Sections
Bibliography
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- Donald A. Neumann, “Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition” © 2012 Mosby, Inc.
- Michael A. Clark, Scott C. Lucett, NASM Essentials of Personal Training: 4th Edition, © 2011 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
- Leon Chaitow, Muscle Energy Techniques: Third Edition, © Elsevier 2007
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- Carolyn Richardson, Paul Hodges, Julie Hides. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbo Pelvic Stabilization – A Motor Control Approach for the Treatment and Prevention of Low Back Pain: 2nd Edition (c) Elsevier Limited, 2004
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- Konrad G, Jolly J, Labriola J, McMahon P, Debski R. Thoracohumeral Muscle Activity Alters Glenohumeral Joint Biomechanics During Abduction. J Ortho. Res 24:748, 2006
- Vleeming A, Pool-Goudzward AL, Stoeckart R, et al. The Posterior Layer of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: Its Function in Load Transfer from Spine to Legs. Spine 20:753-758, 1995
- Carvalhais, VO., Ocarino, Jde M., Araújo, VL., Souza, TR., Silva, PL., Fonseca, ST. (2012). Myofascial force transmission between the latissimus dorsi and gluteus maximus muscles: An in vivo experiment. Journal of Biomechanics 46. 1003-1007
- Langevin, H., Fox, R., Koptiuch, C., Badger, G., Greenan-Nauman, A., Bouffard, N., Konofagou, E., Lee, W., Triano, J., Henry, S. (2011) Reduced thoracolumbar fascia shear strain in human low back pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 12: 203.
- Andry Vleeming, Vert Mooney, Rob Stoeckart. Movement, Stability & LumbopelvicPain: Integration of Research and Therapy. (c) 2007 Elsevier Limited
- Lawrence, R.L., Braman, J.P., Staker, J.L., Laprade, R.F., Ludewig, P.M. (2014) Comparison of 3-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain, Part 2: Glenohumeral joint. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 44(9). 646-B3
- Cooper, N., Scavo, K., Strickland, K., Tipayamongkol, N., Nicholson, J., Bewyer, D., Sluka, K. Prevalence of gluteus medius weakness in people with chronic low back pain compared to healthy controls. J Euro Spine. 26 May 2015
- Shin S, Kim T, Yoo W. (2013). Effects of various gait speeds on the latissimus dorsi and gluteus maximus muscles associated with the posterior oblique sling system. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 25: 1391-1392.
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