golgi tendon reflex

(noun)

A normal component of the reflex arc of the peripheral nervous system. In this reflex, a skeletal muscle contraction causes the agonist muscle to simultaneously lengthen and relax. This reflex is also called the inverse myotatic reflex because it is the inverse of the stretch reflex. Although muscle tension is increasing during the contraction, the alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord that supply the muscle are inhibited. However, antagonistic muscles are activated.

Related Terms

Examples of golgi tendon reflex in the following topics:

  • Spinal Reflexes

    • Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.
    • Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.
    • The Golgi tendon reflex is a normal component of the reflex arc of the peripheral nervous system.
    • The sensory receptors for this reflex are called Golgi tendon receptors, and lie within a tendon near its junction with a muscle.
    • The Golgi tendon organ, responsible for the Golgi tendon reflex, is diagrammed with its typical position in a muscle (left), neuronal connections in spinal cord (middle), and expanded schematic (right).

  • Proprioceptive Sensations

    • The Golgi organ (also called Golgi tendon organ, tendon organ, neurotendinous organ or neurotendinous spindle) is a proprioceptive sensory receptor organ that is located at the insertion of skeletal muscle fibers onto the tendons of skeletal muscle.
    • It provides the sensory component of the Golgi tendon reflex.
    • The Golgi tendon reflex is a normal component of the reflex arc of the peripheral nervous system.
    • In a Golgi tendon reflex, skeletal muscle contraction causes the agonist muscle to simultaneously lengthen and relax.
    • The Golgi tendon organ contributes to the Golgi tendon reflex and provides proprioceptive information about joint position.

  • Reflexes and Diagnosis

    • A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.
    • Scientific use of the term "reflex" refers to a behavior that is mediated via the reflex arc; this does not apply to casual uses of the term "reflex".
    • The stretch reflexes (often called deep tendon reflexes, though not to be confused with Golgi tendon reflexes) provide information on the integrity of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
    • While the reflexes above are stimulated mechanically, the term H-reflex refers to the analogous reflex stimulated electrically, and Tonic vibration reflex for those stimulated to vibration.
    • While 2+ is considered normal, some healthy individuals are hypo-reflexive and register all reflexes at 1+, while others are hyper-reflexive and register all reflexes at 3+.

  • Muscle Tone

    • Muscle tone is controlled by neuronal impulses and influenced by receptors found in the muscle and tendons.
    • When stretched, muscle spindles become activated, triggering impulses to the spinal cord that can generate an immediate reflex.
    • A similar system is found in the tendons attaching muscle to bone.
    • Distinct stretch receptors called golgi tendon organs assess the level of stretch within the tendon.
    • The sensitivity of the golgi tendon organ is significantly less than that of the spindle, so it is thought they exist to prevent damage rather than control muscle tone.

  • Classification of Nerves

    • A-alpha fibers are the primary receptors of the muscle spindle and golgi tendon organ.
    • These nerve fibers are associated with acute pain and therefore constitute the afferent portion of the reflex arc that results in pulling away from noxious stimuli. 

  • Assessing CNS Disorders

    • A neurological examination is the assessment of sensory neuron and motor responses, especially reflexes, to determine whether the nervous system is impaired.
    • Cranial nerves (I-XII): sense of smell (I), visual fields and acuity (II), eye movements (III, IV, VI) and pupils (III, sympathetic and parasympathetic), sensory function of face (V), strength of facial (VII) and shoulder girdle muscles (XI), hearing (VII, VIII), taste (VII, IX, X), pharyngeal movement and reflex (IX), tongue movements (XII).
    • Reflexes tested include masseter, biceps and triceps tendon, knee tendon, ankle jerk and plantar (i.e.
    • Globally, brisk reflexes suggest an abnormality of the UMN or pyramidal tract, while decreased reflexes suggest abnormality in the anterior horn, LMN, nerve or motor end plate.
    • A reflex hammer is used for this testing.

  • Benefits of Stretching

    • There are many techniques for stretching in general, but depending on which muscle group is being stretched, some techniques may be ineffective or detrimental, even to the point of causing permanent damage to the tendons, ligaments and muscle fiber.
    • Reasoning behind the biomechanical benefit of PNF stretching points to muscular reflex relaxation found in the musculotendinous unit being stretched.
    • Other research concludes that active stretching routines will reduce muscle-tendon viscosity and increase muscle compliancy and elasticity.
    • In activities where stretch-shortening cycles (SSC) are more prevalent, such as sprinting and jumping, the muscle-tendon units need to store and use more elastic energy
    • In activities which do not require as much SSC such as jogging, a more elastic muscle-tendon unit is not needed.

  • Injuries to the Phrenic Nerves

    • These nerves provide the only motor supply to the diaphragm as well as sensation to the central tendon.
    • Irritation of the phrenic nerve (or the tissues supplied by it) leads to the hiccough reflex.

  • Hypotonia and Hypertonia

    • Examination will reveal a decreased resistance to passive movement, and muscles may feel abnormally soft and limp on palpation (diminished deep tendon reflexes also may be noted).

  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

    • On average, the symptoms will involve more than one of the numerous TMJ components: muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, bones, connective tissue, and the teeth.
    • When receptors from one of these areas are triggered, the pain can cause a reflex to limit the mandible's movement.