Vestigial structures are body parts that we’ve evolved to no longer need. The natural selection process dictates that we keep the traits that continue to serve a purpose while the others become functionless or degenerate. Here are five vestigial body parts.
1. Appendix
In humans, this organ dates back almost 80 million years and helped our ancestors to digest tough plants and vegetables.
2. Ear Muscles
Our ancient ancestors could move their ears — which they did in response to different sounds. This allowed for more accurate identification of the source of the sound.
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3. Sinuses
Paranasal sinuses are air pockets in our skull and facial bones… Researchers believe that early ancestors relied on sinuses for a more pronounced sense of smell that aided survival.
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Related on the SLP
4. Tailbone
Many primates have tails that help them with balance when swinging through trees. However, when apes evolved about 25 million years ago — they did so without tails.
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5. Wisdom Teeth
The diet of early humans consisted of dense food such as raw meat, leaves, roots, plants, nuts, and bark. Wisdom teeth (or the third set of molars) were once needed to grind down these foods for proper digestion. The discovery of fire, cooking and eventually eating utensils led to the consumption of softer foods.
