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La Le Li Lo Lu Ly
Lab Lac Lam Lan Lar Lat

Latissimus dorsi

Noun, pl. latissimi dorsi

1. The larger, flat, dorso-lateral muscle on the trunk, posterior to the arm, and partly covered by the trapezius on its median dorsal region. The latissimus dorsi is responsible for extension, adduction, transverse extension also known as horizontal abduction, 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. (wikipedia.org)

2. Either of the larger, flat, dorso-lateral muscles on the trunk, posterior to the arm, and partly covered by the trapezius on its median dorsal region. (wiktionary.org)

3. Origin, spinous processes of lower five or six thoracic and the lumbar vertebrae, median ridge of sacrum, and outer lip of iliac crest; insertion, with teres major into posterior lip of bicipital groove of humerus; action, adducts arm, rotates it medially, and extends it; nerve supply, thoracodorsal. (biology-online.org)

Syn: commonly referred to as “lats” (esp. among body builders)

Word origin: From Latin lātissimus (“widest, broadest”), superlative oflātus (“wide, broad”), + dorsī, genitive of dorsum (“the back”).