Muscle Name: latissimus dorsi

AKA:   musculus latissimus dorsi

Abbreviation:  

Spinal Nerve Roots:
     C6
     C7
     C8

Brachial Plexus Trunks:
    upper trunk
    middle trunk
    lower trunk

Brachial Plexus Cords:
    posterior cord

Named Nerves:
    Thoracodorsal nerve 

Proximal Attachment:   spinous processes of thoracic T7-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and inferior 3 or 4 ribs

Distal Attachment:  floor of intertubercular groove of the humerus

Action:    Adducts, extends and internally rotates the arm

Needle Insertion:    With the patient in the lateral recumbant position and the arm arm adducted the needle is inserted ~ 4 cm distal to the posterior axillary fold.

Activation for EMG:  Have the patient extend the arm.

Pitfalls:  The needle may enter teres major if it inserted too medially.

Notes: