Final answer:
The Golgi tendon reflex is a protective mechanism triggered by high tension in muscle tendons, sensed by Golgi tendon organs, which causes muscle relaxation to prevent injury. It involves inhibitory signals to motor neurons, contrasting with the muscle spindle's stretch reflex that causes muscle contraction to maintain muscle tone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golgi tendon reflex functions as a protective mechanism to prevent muscle damage that can occur from excessive force. When a muscle contracts too intensely, this reflex is activated, resulting in a muscle relaxation to prevent potential damage. Golgi tendon organs, which are sensory receptors located within the tendons, sense a high tension level in the muscle tendon caused by a strong contraction.
Once activated, they send an afferent signal to the spinal cord where it synapses with inhibitory interneurons. These interneurons then inhibit the motor neurons, which lead to the relaxation of the muscle attached to the tendon. This is a feedback mechanism to protect muscles and tendons from excessive stress and possible injury.
In clinical settings, reflexes such as the are tested to confirm the proper functioning of the lower motor neurons (LMNs) and the integrity of the reflex pathways. The Golgi tendon reflex differs from the stretch reflex elicited during such tests, as it inhibits, rather than causes, muscle contraction. This reflex works alongside the muscle spindles, which are sensory receptors that detect changes in muscle length and initiate a contraction to counteract sudden stretches, thus maintaining muscle tone.