What are Golgi tendon organs (GTOs)?

What are Golgi tendon organs (GTOs)?

• A. Sensors that detect length changes in muscle and rate of stretch.
• B. Sensors at muscle-tendon junctions that detect tension during contraction and inhibit the muscle when a slow stretch is applied.
• C. Receptors for temperature.
• D. Mechanoreceptors in skin.

Answer: (B)

Golgi tendon organs are tension-sensing receptors located where muscle meets tendon. They monitor the force the muscle is generating and send signals through Ib fibers to the spinal cord. When tendon tension becomes excessive, this input triggers an inhibitory response that reduces the activity of the same muscle, causing it to relax. This autogenic inhibition acts as a protective brake to prevent injury during strong contractions or when stretching creates high tension. This is different from muscle spindles, which detect changes in muscle length and the rate of that change. Receptors for temperature and skin mechanoreceptors are not involved in this tendon-based tension sensing.

Golgi tendon organs are tension-sensing receptors located where muscle meets tendon. They monitor the force the muscle is generating and send signals through Ib fibers to the spinal cord. When tendon tension becomes excessive, this input triggers an inhibitory response that reduces the activity of the same muscle, causing it to relax. This autogenic inhibition acts as a protective brake to prevent injury during strong contractions or when stretching creates high tension. This is different from muscle spindles, which detect changes in muscle length and the rate of that change. Receptors for temperature and skin mechanoreceptors are not involved in this tendon-based tension sensing.