spitzenkorper

thumb|300px|Four parallel microscopic views of a growing Neurospora crassa hypha, with the Spitzenkörper clearly visible at the tip (e.g. in red at the bottom lane)

The Spitzenkörper (German for 'pointed body', SPK) is a structure found in fungal hyphae that is the organizing center for hyphal growth and morphogenesis. It consists of many small vesicles and is present in growing hyphal tips, during spore germination, and where branch formation occurs. Its position in the hyphal tip correlates with the direction of hyphal growth. The Spitzenkörper is a part of the endomembrane system in fungi.