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Comparisons in structure of tendon organs in the rat, cat and man

Authors :
Charles F. Bridgman
Source :
The Journal of comparative neurology. 138(3)
Publication Year :
1970

Abstract

Golgi tendon organs from human, cat and rat extensor digitorum brevis muscles are compared in structural design. Microscopic studies reveal that these receptors appear to be very similar in structure, suggesting close functional similarities even though they are largest in man, intermediate size in cats and smallest in rats. This contrasts with similar observations on the structure of muscle spindles which show strong differences in respect to the insertion of intrafusal muscle fibers thereby implying species specialization of response characteristics to intramuscular tensions and pressures. Reconstructive drawings of human tendon organs from serial sections suggest how sensory endings may be affected by tensions at the musculotendinous junctions due to stretch or contraction of motor units. Finely divided collagen bundles appear to compress and distort nerve endings lying between them, thus inducing the generation of spike discharges.

Details

ISSN :
00219967
Volume :
138
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Journal of comparative neurology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....044d79a1debaa184f683a79634150855