Talk:Golgi tendon organ

Physiology Mid‑importance

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Latest comment: 15 years ago3 comments3 people in discussion

What is the new clasp-knife response theory mentioned in the history section? It should also be included in clasp-knife response article and if somebody has more information about this theory I would love to hear it.--C39 17:39, 13 June 2007 (UTC)Reply

The clasp-knife response is where a spastic muscle resists motion until a certain point where it suddenly stops resisting, similar to opening and closing a pocket knife where at a certain point it snaps open or closed. This is due to the fact that an upper motor neuron injury causes spastic paralysis. However, the lower motor neuron is still in tact and can still participate in normal reflexes. So when a spastic muscle is stretched, the golgi tendon organ is activated, eventually it will inhibit the lower motor neuron and it will suddenly relax and you lose the resistance. 140.220.1.66 (talk) 23:53, 31 May 2009 (UTC)Reply

so.. that should be deleted then according to you? I mean I dont feel like doing a lit search right now to find the truth but as of fall 2009 the story in a medical school neuro class was that it was due to "loss of inhibition of interneurons relaying type II, III, and IV afferent signals." Golgi tendon organ is innervated by type Ib and signals tension, type II signals slow stretch (nuclear chain intrafusal fibers) and deep pressure (free nerve endings), types III and IV have free nerve ending receptors and signal pain, chemical, and temperature info. The instructor didnt go into more detail than that, but based on that my guess is the reflex is normally triggered by hypoxia/overheating (due to using up the available oxygen reserves plus high CO2/lactic acid production lowering blood pH and excessive exothermic ATP hydrolysis, respectively) plus local buildup of blood pressure since the prolongedly contracted muscle is pressing on whatever venules are around and preventing drainage. In the case of upper motor neuron lesion this spinal reflex will be less inhibited in the same way the golgi tendon neurons would be(UPMs have collaterals to inhibitory interneurons which, when activated, will inhibit the interneurons responsible for conveying the reflex). Repapetilto (talk) 01:12, 4 September 2009 (UTC)Reply

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