Golgi tendon organ
Golgi Tendon Organ
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) (pronounced: gōl-jē ten-dən ȯr-gən), also known as the neurotendinous organ, is a proprioceptive sensory receptor organ that is located at the junction of the tendon and muscle tissues. It is named after the Italian physician and scientist Camillo Golgi, who is recognized for his significant contributions to the field of neuroscience.
Etymology
The term "Golgi tendon organ" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Camillo Golgi. The word "tendon" comes from the Latin tendere, meaning "to stretch", and "organ" is derived from the Greek organon, meaning "instrument".
Function
The primary function of the Golgi tendon organ is to monitor tension within the muscles. When the muscle tension is too high, the GTO sends a signal to the central nervous system (CNS), which then causes the muscle to relax. This reflex action serves to protect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments from injury.
Related Terms
- Proprioception: The sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.
- Muscle spindle: Another type of proprioceptive organ located within the muscle that primarily detects changes in muscle length.
- Central nervous system (CNS): The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Golgi tendon organ
- Wikipedia's article - Golgi tendon organ
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