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How should I study Muscle physiology: Golgi tendon organ?

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Muscle physiology: Golgi… MCQ (B7-PHYS3-14)

Q: What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Golgi tendon organ activation by high tension, with Ib-mediated inhibition of the homonymous motor neurone. Golgi tendon organs lie in series with muscle fibres at the musculotendinous junction and respond to tension.

Q: What concept does this question test?

It tests Muscle physiology: Golgi tendon organ in Physiology. High tension activates Ib afferents that excite inhibitory interneurons, which inhibit the alpha motor neurone of the same muscle (autogenic inhibition). In spasticity, the stretch reflex initially resists movement, then the inhibition from high tension causes the muscle to give way.

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Physiology · Muscle physiology: Golgi tendon organ

Sample item

A man with an upper motor neurone lesion has a limb that resists passive stretch strongly and then suddenly gives way, the clasp-knife phenomenon. Which receptor mechanism produces the sudden relaxation?

APacinian corpuscle activation in the tendon, with excitation of the antagonistBGolgi tendon organ activation by high tension, with Ib-mediated inhibition of the homonymous motor neuroneCMuscle spindle activation by stretch, with Ia excitation of the homonymous motor neuroneDFree nerve ending activation in the joint, with a crossed extensor reflex

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Golgi tendon organ activation by high tension, with Ib-mediated inhibition of the homonymous motor neurone

Golgi tendon organs lie in series with muscle fibres at the musculotendinous junction and respond to tension. High tension activates Ib afferents that excite inhibitory interneurons, which inhibit the alpha motor neurone of the same muscle (autogenic inhibition). In spasticity, the stretch reflex initially resists movement, then the inhibition from high tension causes the muscle to give way.

Option by option

A. Pacinian corpuscle activation in the tendon, with excitation of the antagonist
Pacinian corpuscles signal vibration and are not the pathway of this reflex.
B. Golgi tendon organ activation by high tension, with Ib-mediated inhibition of the homonymous motor neurone (correct)
Tension-induced Ib inhibition causes the sudden give of the clasp-knife response.
C. Muscle spindle activation by stretch, with Ia excitation of the homonymous motor neurone
Spindle Ia excitation is the stretch reflex, which causes the initial resistance, not the release.
D. Free nerve ending activation in the joint, with a crossed extensor reflex
The crossed extensor reflex is a nociceptive reflex that supports the opposite limb, not a tendon reflex.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Muscle physiology: Golgi tendon organ: practice question

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The answer and the reasoning

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