Golgi tendon organ

Golgi tendon organ

Golgi tendon organ is located within the tendons of the skeletal muscles. It is present at the junction of muscle fiber and its collagenous tendon. As they are closely associated with the tendon, the stretch of the tendon causes depolarization of the receptor organ.

Action potential is generated within the sensory fibers which are large myelinated fibers. Golgi tendon organ act as stretch receptor. These receptors are excited by muscle contraction that imposes tendon stretch.

The stimulation of Golgi tendon initiates excitation of α-motor neurons supplying to antagonistic muscle of the contracted skeletal muscle. These receptors initiate reflex activity to reduce the tension in the tendons of the stretched muscles.