Functionally, the latissimus dorsi muscle belongs to the muscles of the scapular motion. This muscle is able to pull the inferior angle of the scapula in various directions, producing movements on the shoulder joint; internal rotation, adduction and extension of the arm.

All the fibers converge superolaterally and insert onto the intertubercular sulcus of humerus. The functions of the latissimus dorsi muscle are to extend the flexed arm, to adduct and internally rotate the arm and to pull the pectoral girdle backward as a whole when the humerus is fixed against the scapula.