Dendrite

A dendrite is a filamentous extension of a neurone used to receive and conduct the nerve impulse.

The dendrites are extensions of the neurone cell body. They divide by dichotomy, creating a neuronal tree of short branched filaments. They differ from the axon in several ways.

• The dendrites receive the nerve impulse, whereas the axon transmits it .
• There are many dendrites whereas there is only one axon.

The purpose of the dendrites is to receive and conduct the nerve impulse (signal) from other nerve cells, to the neurone cell body. Once excited, it sends a nerve impulse along the axon to another neurone muscle or other type of tissue.