Latissimus dorsi – the triangle muscle

The widest back muscle is called latissimus dorsi, and in today’s article we will make detailed analysis with the muscle in order to better understand its position, origin and insertion along with some of the functions.

At the end of the article you can also find some of the exercises that will active the muscle.

So, let’s meet with latissimus dorsi!

Origin and insertion of the muscle

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Spinous processes of T7 – L5 vertebrae.
b. Iliac crest of sacrum.
c. Thoracolumbar fascia.
d. Inferior angle of the scapula.
e. Lower three or four ribs.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
Floor of intertubercular (bicipital) groove of humerus.

Functions of the muscle

You can see some of the functions on the animations below.

Internal rotation of the humerus

Adduction of the humerus

Retroflexion of the humerus

Exercises that will active the muscle

You can see some of the exercises that activate the muscle below.

Exercises with external load

• bent over row
• single arm bent over row

Exercises with bodyweight

• pull-ups

Exercises with a cable machine

• lat pulldown

Source: https://www.getbodysmart.com/arm-muscles/latissimus-dorsi-muscle

This post is also available in: Croatian