Latissimus dorsi

How it is used

Used in anatomy, coaching, and rehab. Often shortened to lats in gym talk. Common with pull-ups, rowing, activation, and back training.

Example sentences

1. During the rowing assessment, the coach asked him to engage the latissimus dorsi instead of shrugging through every repetition.

   Here the term names the back muscle that should create the pulling action, improving technique and muscle recruitment.

2. The anatomy chapter explained how the latissimus dorsi contributes to climbing, swimming, and other strong pulling movements.

   In this example, it identifies a specific muscle discussed in relation to several sports actions involving arm pulling.

Common collocations

• latissimus dorsi muscle
• engage the latissimus dorsi
• latissimus dorsi activation
• tight latissimus dorsi

Related terms

• muscleA soft body tissue that can contract and relax to move parts of the body; skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons.
• pull-upAn exercise in which you hang from a bar with your palms facing away and pull your body up until your chin is above the bar.

More terms: Muscles & the Body

• hamstring
• quadriceps
• core
• abs
• glutes
• flexibility
• mobility
• tendon
• ligament
• deltoids
• pectoral muscles
• trapezius