Golgi tendon organs are encapsulated receptors at the junction between muscle and tendon. Each lies in series with a small group of muscle fibres, so it is stretched when those fibres contract. They signal muscle tension rather than length.
| Location | Musculotendinous junctions of skeletal muscles throughout the body |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Type Ib myelinated sensory fibres |
| Blood Supply | Small vessels of the musculotendinous junction |
Monitor the tension produced by muscle contraction and help regulate force through spinal reflexes.
Tendon organ signals travel in type Ib fibres and, through spinal interneurons, can inhibit the same muscle (autogenic inhibition), which helps regulate force. This reflex is often cited as one mechanism behind the relaxation used in contract-relax (PNF) stretching, though the full explanation is debated. They complement muscle spindles in giving the brain a sense of effort and force.
In spasticity, resistance to passive stretch suddenly gives way; tendon organs and other high-threshold receptors are thought to contribute to this release.
Strains commonly occur at the muscle-tendon junction where tendon organs lie, and impaired force feedback is one factor considered in rehabilitation.
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