Final answer:
Golgi tendon organs are receptors in tendons that detect muscle tension and help regulate the strength of muscle contractions to prevent damage. Muscle spindles work in concert, but respond to muscle stretch to maintain muscle tone and posture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The receptors located in tendons and at the myotendinous junction that detect the tension of a muscle on its tendon and provide information about the strength of muscle contraction are called Golgi tendon organs. These are tension receptors that respond to increases in muscle tension. They act to prevent muscle damage during excessive force generation by initiating a reflex that inhibits muscle contraction, thereby reducing muscle tension. When muscle tension increases, Golgi tendon organs send a signal to the central nervous system, which then modulates the muscle's activity to prevent potential damage. This sensory information is utilized to adjust and control muscle tension during activities, aiding in the coordination of movement.
Muscle spindles are related to Golgi tendon organs in the way that they also detect changes within the muscle; however, they are more responsive to muscle stretch rather than tension. Muscle spindles are stretch receptors that detect the amount of stretch or lengthening of muscles and facilitate the maintenance of muscle tone and posture.