We should not always assume that every human development has an adaptive explanation. Because of the complexity of evolution, the human body still sustains a few reminisce of our ancient lives. Here are some useless human body parts that serve very little or no purpose in our survival.
5.
Wisdom Tooth
Also called the third molar it's developed between the ages of 17 and 25. According to researchers, the out-of-place wisdom tooth was useful to our ancestors for grinding down on plant tissues. But today our skulls have become smaller and the number of teeth has gone down because they are no longer required. The change of the diet still couldn't get rid of the third molar or wisdom teeth completely. It's a painful procedure to remove an infected wisdom tooth.
4.
Palmaris Longus Muscles
A completely useless muscle that stretches between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor carpi radialis. About 14% of the world population has no Palmaris Longus muscles but that doesn't affect their grip strength. This long, narrow muscle was once useful when our ancestors had to climb with hands. One can feel the muscles while flexing the wrist and touching the pads of the thumb and the fifth finger. It can be felt palpitating, which is why sometimes medical students mistake it for a nerve.
3.
Plica Semilunaris of Conjunctiva
Plica semilunaris is also called the third eyelid, located in the corner of our eye next to our tear duct. It's a small folded fragment seen prominently when we move our eyes. The Plica semilunaris is said to help the eye maintain tear drainage and also allows free rotation of our eyes. Without the Plica semilunaris our eye would limited movements because the eyeball will be attached directly to the conjunctiva. But even then its role is quiet restricted because of its tiny size. Moreover the existence of the Plica semilunaris is not absolutely necessary for our survival.
2.
Subclavius Muscle
The Subclavius Muscle is small triangular thick tendon that stretches between our first rib and our collarbone. Lying beneath our shoulders, the muscle helps carry our shoulders forward and downward, depress our shoulders. Subclavius Muscle was useful when primitive humans walked on all four but today it pretty much of no good use. The muscle is not found in everyone, some have only one, some two and some none at all.
1.
Male Nipples
Nipple develops in a foetus even before the gender is determined. It's only on its 6th week that the male hormones such as testosterone start to take shape. At this point the male nipples stop to develop further but sometimes fat tissues accumulate around the nipple making them swell and become seemingly similar to female breasts. In pubescent boys, high levels of estrogen can also lead to swelling around the nipple making them looking larger. Though functionless, male nipples are pretty sensitive and can develop breast cancer.
Also called the third molar it's developed between the ages of 17 and 25. According to researchers, the out-of-place wisdom tooth was useful to our ancestors for grinding down on plant tissues. But today our skulls have become smaller and the number of teeth has gone down because they are no longer required. The change of the diet still couldn't get rid of the third molar or wisdom teeth completely. It's a painful procedure to remove an infected wisdom tooth.
A completely useless muscle that stretches between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor carpi radialis. About 14% of the world population has no Palmaris Longus muscles but that doesn't affect their grip strength. This long, narrow muscle was once useful when our ancestors had to climb with hands. One can feel the muscles while flexing the wrist and touching the pads of the thumb and the fifth finger. It can be felt palpitating, which is why sometimes medical students mistake it for a nerve.
Plica semilunaris is also called the third eyelid, located in the corner of our eye next to our tear duct. It's a small folded fragment seen prominently when we move our eyes. The Plica semilunaris is said to help the eye maintain tear drainage and also allows free rotation of our eyes. Without the Plica semilunaris our eye would limited movements because the eyeball will be attached directly to the conjunctiva. But even then its role is quiet restricted because of its tiny size. Moreover the existence of the Plica semilunaris is not absolutely necessary for our survival.
The Subclavius Muscle is small triangular thick tendon that stretches between our first rib and our collarbone. Lying beneath our shoulders, the muscle helps carry our shoulders forward and downward, depress our shoulders. Subclavius Muscle was useful when primitive humans walked on all four but today it pretty much of no good use. The muscle is not found in everyone, some have only one, some two and some none at all.
Nipple develops in a foetus even before the gender is determined. It's only on its 6th week that the male hormones such as testosterone start to take shape. At this point the male nipples stop to develop further but sometimes fat tissues accumulate around the nipple making them swell and become seemingly similar to female breasts. In pubescent boys, high levels of estrogen can also lead to swelling around the nipple making them looking larger. Though functionless, male nipples are pretty sensitive and can develop breast cancer.
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