Latissimus dorsi

The latissimus dorsi is a broad muscle on either side of the back, below the shoulders. It also helps move the upper arm at the shoulder, for example when pulling upwards during climbing.

The latissimus dorsi is a broad, flat muscle across the middle and lower back. It pulls the arm down towards the body and backwards at the shoulder. During the pulling phase of front crawl, it helps draw the arm through the water.