tendon organ

The tendon organ is a sensory receptor located in tendons, near where they attach to muscles. It is a spindle-shaped structure containing nerve endings that respond to stretch.1

Anatomy and Function

Tendon organs are proprioceptors, meaning they provide information about the body's position and movement. They are less sensitive to stretch than muscle spindles and do not typically generate impulses from the normal resting tension of a muscle. However, they do respond to the intensity of stretch, whether caused by active muscle contraction or external forces. This response can lead to the relaxation of the attached muscle and helps prevent anatomical damage. While tendon organs are crucial for signaling muscular tension, human awareness of limb position and movement primarily comes from receptors in joints and skin, not directly from tendon organs.23