What do Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) detect?

Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) are specialized sensory receptors located at the junction of muscles and tendons. Their primary function is to detect changes in muscle tension. When a muscle contracts, tension is generated in the tendon, and GTOs respond to this tension by sending signals to the central nervous system. This information helps regulate muscle contraction and contributes to proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space.

Understanding the role of GTOs is crucial for grasping how the body prevents injury during physical activities. High levels of tension can trigger a reflex that inhibits further muscle contraction, thereby protecting the muscle from excessive force that could lead to injury. This feedback mechanism is essential for maintaining functional movement and ensuring safety during exercise and athletic performance.

In contrast, other options refer to different functions: the detection of change in muscle length is associated with muscle spindles, joint position detection involves sensory receptors called proprioceptors in and around the joints, and temperature changes in the skin are sensed by thermoreceptors. Each of these receptors plays a distinct role in the body's sensory feedback system, making GTOs unique in their specific function of monitoring muscle tension.