latissimus dorsi

American  

[luh-tis-uh-muhs dawr-sahy] / ləˈtɪs ə məs ˈdɔr saɪ /

noun

Anatomy.

latissimi dorsi plural

1. a broad, flat muscle on each side of the midback, the action of which draws the arm backward and downward and rotates the front of the arm toward the body.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• latissimi dorsi
  plural

Etymology

Origin of latissimus dorsi

< New Latin: literally, the broadest (muscle) of the back

Example Sentences

Wallen also revealed that he injured his latissimus dorsi in Australia and has been “trying to work through that quietly.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

Severino had an MRI that showed a low-grade strain to his right latissimus dorsi muscle.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022

The shark bite shattered his humerus in his upper arm and left him with several back injuries: torn rotator cuff, fractured scapula and missing parts of his deltoid and latissimus dorsi muscles.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2022

Last season, Severino made only three regular-season starts, plus two more in the postseason, because of a shoulder ailment and a mysterious latissimus dorsi injury.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2020

A weak latissimus dorsi muscle indicates a weak pancreas, for example.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve