Question

Describe when the muscle spindle is activated, what it does, and what its primary function is?

Answer 1

Muscle spindles are stretch receptors that detect muscle stretch and contribute to muscle stability and coordination by causing muscle contraction and inhibiting antagonist muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muscle spindles are stretch receptors that detect the amount of stretch, or lengthening of muscles. When a skeletal muscle is stretched, the muscle spindle receptor is activated. This activation causes a direct contraction of the muscle and simultaneously inhibits the motor neuron of the antagonist muscles. The primary function of the muscle spindle is to maintain muscles at a constant length, contributing to muscle stability and coordination.