Neuromuscular sensory organs

The autonomic nervous system has neuromuscular sensory organs that gather information and inform the central nervous system about the bodies position, muscle tension and muscle length.

Joint receptors

Located in the ligaments and joint capsule, info the central nervous system about the position of the body.

Muscle spindles

Located in the muscle belly and inform the central nervous system about the length of the muscle fibre, preventing over-stretching.

Golgi tendon organs (GTOs)

Located in the tendons and inform the central nervous system how much tension a muscle is under. If the muscle is under so much tension that there is a risk of damage the GTO can tell the muscle to relax.

Ok did you get all that? Now see if you can remember which is which!