Which action is performed by the latissimus dorsi at the shoulder joint?

Prepare for the NHI Eastern Kinesiology Test with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Ready yourself for success!

Multiple Choice

Which action is performed by the latissimus dorsi at the shoulder joint?

Explanation:
Latissimus dorsi pulls the arm backward at the shoulder joint, so it extends the glenohumeral joint. Its fibers run from the lower spine and pelvis up to the humerus, creating a pull that moves the arm from a flexed or neutral position toward the back. It also assists with adduction and internal rotation, but actions like lifting the arm out to the side or elevating the scapula come from other muscles (such as the deltoid or trapezius/levator scapulae, respectively). So extending the shoulder is the primary action this muscle performs at the joint.

Latissimus dorsi pulls the arm backward at the shoulder joint, so it extends the glenohumeral joint. Its fibers run from the lower spine and pelvis up to the humerus, creating a pull that moves the arm from a flexed or neutral position toward the back. It also assists with adduction and internal rotation, but actions like lifting the arm out to the side or elevating the scapula come from other muscles (such as the deltoid or trapezius/levator scapulae, respectively). So extending the shoulder is the primary action this muscle performs at the joint.

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