Which sensor detects muscle tension and, when stimulated over time, inhibits the antagonist?

Which sensor detects muscle tension and, when stimulated over time, inhibits the antagonist?

• A. Muscle spindles
• B. Golgi tendon organs
• C. Pacinian corpuscles
• D. Ruffini endings

Answer: (B)

Golgi tendon organs sense muscle tension. They are located at the tendon near the muscle and respond when a muscle contracts and generates force. When tension is sustained or high, Ib afferent fibers carry this information to the spinal cord and activate inhibitory interneurons that suppress the alpha motor neurons of the same (agonist) muscle. This autogenic inhibition reduces the contracting muscle’s force, protecting the tendon from overload. As a result, the opposing (antagonist) muscle can contribute or take over the movement more safely. Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffini endings, and muscle spindles do not track this tension-based protective mechanism, which is why the Golgi tendon organ is the correct sensor here.

Golgi tendon organs sense muscle tension. They are located at the tendon near the muscle and respond when a muscle contracts and generates force. When tension is sustained or high, Ib afferent fibers carry this information to the spinal cord and activate inhibitory interneurons that suppress the alpha motor neurons of the same (agonist) muscle. This autogenic inhibition reduces the contracting muscle’s force, protecting the tendon from overload. As a result, the opposing (antagonist) muscle can contribute or take over the movement more safely. Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffini endings, and muscle spindles do not track this tension-based protective mechanism, which is why the Golgi tendon organ is the correct sensor here.