Golgi Tendon Organ

The Golgi tendon organ is a specialized sensory structure embedded in each tendon that continuously monitors mechanical load on the muscle. Tension information from the Golgi tendon organ travels from the tendon through the spinal column to the brain and back down to the muscle to regulate force. The neuromuscular feedback loop depends on both electrical signals carried by electrolyte minerals and chemical messengers that bridge the nerve-muscle gap.