All Glossary Terms
Anatomy
Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)
Sensory receptors in tendons that detect tension and inhibit muscle contraction.
Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) are located in tendons and sense muscle tension. When tension becomes excessive, GTOs trigger relaxation to prevent tissue damage - called autogenic inhibition. This mechanism is utilized in stretching techniques like PNF. GTOs also help regulate force production during voluntary contractions.
Examples
- Muscle relaxation after sustained contraction
- PNF stretching effectiveness
- Protective reflex against excessive force