Summary
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) has a capsule composed of cells confluent with the perineural epithelial sheath surrounding the Ib afferent nerve. Fluids of the capsule lumen are isolated from extra-capsular fluids by the capsule wall; its tight-fitting collars form seals through which collagen bundles enter and leave the proximal and distal ends of the fusiform capsule. The capsule lumen between the sealed capsule openings, is divided into longitudinal compartments by delicate processes of septal cells. Collagen bundles spiral down through the longitudinal axis of the GTO. As they descend through the lumen, the bundles are distinctly separated from each other by fluid-filled spaces. These collagen bundles divide, twist, and regroup over short longtiudinal distances and unmyelinated axons interwine among them. Compartments which are densely filled with collagen are not innervated. Axon profiles appear in four forms: (I) myelinated branches of Ib axon, (II) unmyelinated axons surrounded by Schwann cell processes and basal lamina, (III) axons covered only by basal lamina, and (IV) axons with bare surfaces. We postulate that increased tensile forces on the collagen bundles caused by muscle contraction tighten the braided collagen bundles thereby squeezing and distorting the axon terminals. The proposed mechanical events are consistent with known discharge characteristics of Ib axons.
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Schoultz, T.W., Swett, J.E. The fine structure of the Golgi tendon organ. J Neurocytol 1, 1–25 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01098642
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01098642