Last updated: Wed, Jun 21, 2017
Tendons are equipped with Golgi sensors that report when the tension in the attached muscle changes. The circuitry for the tendon reflex is similar to that for the muscle stretch reflex, but the direction of the reflex is opposite. The tendon reflex works to limit the muscle contraction when it is suddenly increased. It is believed that this reflex exists to protect the muscle and tendon from extreme tension, which could otherwise cause the muscle or tendon to tear.