Spindle neurons, also called
von Economo neurons (VENs), are a specific class of
neurons that are characterized by a large
spindle-shaped
soma (or body), gradually tapering into a single
apical axon in one direction, with only a single
dendrite facing opposite. Other neurons tend to have many dendrites, and the polar-shaped morphology of spindle neurons is unique. A neuron's dendrites receive signals, and its axon sends them.