Spitzenkörper

The Spitzenkörper is a fungal structure found in the apical zone of hyphae, which are the thread-like filaments that make up the body of a fungus. This small, spindle-shaped body is crucial for directing the growth of the hypha. It is composed of vesicles and its position at the tip of the hypha determines the direction of growth.1

The Spitzenkörper is a key component in how fungi develop and spread. As hyphae grow, they can branch out, forming a network called a mycelium. This mycelium is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the environment. In some fungi, like mushrooms, the underground mycelium can grow to be very large, with the Spitzenkörper guiding the extension of these underground networks.1

While the Spitzenkörper is primarily associated with the growth of hyphae, a similar structure, the "spindle body" or "spindle organ," has been identified in certain fungi of the family Cladochytreaceae.2