What nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi?
The thoracodorsal nerve is a pure motor nerve that innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle.
What movement does the latissimus dorsi perform?
The latissimus dorsi is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension also known as horizontal abduction (or horizontal extension), flexion from an extended position, and (medial) internal rotation of the shoulder joint. It also has a synergistic role in extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine.
What happens when the latissimus dorsi muscle contracts?
When contracting, the latissimus dorsi muscle produces torque and force to achieve its function (in this case extension, adduction and medial rotation of the glenohumeral joint).
How are the latissimus dorsi commonly injured?
Physical activities that involve pulling the body upward and forward while the arms are over your head, such as the “muscle-up” exercise, can cause injury to your latissimus dorsi. You can also get latissimus dorsi injuries from the following sports: Gymnastics. Volleyball.
Where does the latissimus dorsi muscle come from?
It is a flatter, triangular shaped muscle that originates on the thoracolumbar fascia. This is the thick, very strong fibrous tissue that attaches to the supraspinous ligament and the spines of the vertebrae from T3 all the way back to the facia over the croup.
How to tell if you have a latissimus dorsi injury?
Patients usually report pain, burning or tearing sensation and might show an asymmetry or bruise of the posterior axillary fold or lump at the latissimus dorsi muscle belly. Pain increases with internal rotation and resisted shoulder extension 2,3.
How does the latissimi dorsi affect the scapulae?
Due to bypassing the scapulothoracic joints and attaching directly to the spine, the actions the latissimi dorsi have on moving the arms can also influence the movement of the scapulae, such as their downward rotation during a pull up . Axillary arches shown from two different angles.
Where is the teres major located in the latissimus dorsi?
The teres major inserts medially on the medial lip of the intertubercular groove and the pectoralis major inserts laterally onto the lateral lip. The latissimus dorsi is innervated by the sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves through the thoracodorsal (long subscapular) nerve.