Sensory Receptors in Muscles and Tendons

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What is the main function of muscle spindles?

Operate only at a subconscious level

Control muscle contraction consciously

Transmit information about muscle tension

Send information about muscle length to the nervous system (correct)

Where are Golgi tendon organs located?

In the spinal cord

In the muscle belly

In the cerebral cortex

In the muscle tendons (correct)

Which part of the nervous system is helped by information from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs to control muscle contraction?

Brainstem

Hypothalamus

Cerebellum (correct)

Frontal lobe

What type of sensory receptors are Golgi tendon organs?

Tension receptors Signup and view all the answers

How do signals from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs primarily contribute to muscle control?

Function mostly at a subconscious level Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of intrafusal muscle fibers within the muscle spindle?

Send information about muscle length to the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of muscle sensory receptors mentioned in the text?

Muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting changes in muscle length?

Golgi tendon organs Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of muscle spindles in muscle control?

Detecting changes in muscle length Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiber is involved in the efferent innervation of muscle spindles?

Dynamic γ fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of Golgi tendon organs?

Detecting changes in muscle tension Signup and view all the answers

In the context of motor control, what do nuclear chain fibers refer to?

Intrafusal muscle fibers within the muscle spindle Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the central portion of the muscle spindle?

It functions as a sensory receptor. Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve fibers excite the end portions of the muscle spindle?

Gamma motor nerve fibers Signup and view all the answers

How are the sensory fibers in the muscle spindle stimulated?

By stretching of the central portion Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways in which the muscle spindle receptor can be excited?

By shortening the whole muscle Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of sensory endings found in the central receptor area of the muscle spindle?

Primary afferent and secondary afferent endings Signup and view all the answers

Which type of nerve fibers innervates the extrafusal skeletal muscle?

Alpha efferent fibers Signup and view all the answers