Sensory receptors located at the musculotendinous junction, which monitor active tension generated by the muscle during a contraction are called?

Sensory receptors located at the musculotendinous junction, which monitor active tension generated by the muscle during a contraction are called?

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

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is which receptors monitor the force a muscle generates during contraction to protect the tendon. Golgi tendon organs are located in the tendinous tissue near the muscle–tendon junction and sense active tension as the muscle contracts. When tension rises, Ib afferent signals rise to the spinal cord and trigger autogenic inhibition, reducing motor output to the contracting muscle to prevent tendon damage. This reflex helps regulate how much force you can safely produce during a contraction and informs how you load up during rehab work. Muscle spindles, by contrast, are inside the muscle belly and detect changes in length and the rate of length change, contributing to the stretch reflex. Pacinian corpuscles sense vibration and deep pressure in the skin and tissues, not active muscle tension. Free nerve endings provide nonspecific pain and other sensory input, not specific monitoring of muscle-generated tension.

The main idea here is which receptors monitor the force a muscle generates during contraction to protect the tendon. Golgi tendon organs are located in the tendinous tissue near the muscle–tendon junction and sense active tension as the muscle contracts. When tension rises, Ib afferent signals rise to the spinal cord and trigger autogenic inhibition, reducing motor output to the contracting muscle to prevent tendon damage. This reflex helps regulate how much force you can safely produce during a contraction and informs how you load up during rehab work.

Muscle spindles, by contrast, are inside the muscle belly and detect changes in length and the rate of length change, contributing to the stretch reflex. Pacinian corpuscles sense vibration and deep pressure in the skin and tissues, not active muscle tension. Free nerve endings provide nonspecific pain and other sensory input, not specific monitoring of muscle-generated tension.