The Human Body’s Useless Parts, Seven Vestiges of Our Evolutionary Past

The Human Body’s Useless Parts, Seven Vestiges of Our Evolutionary Past

Introduction

Though we often treat our bodies as temples, some parts of these temples have become redundant over time. As humans have evolved over millions of years, certain anatomical features have lost their original purpose. Here are seven parts of the human body that have become largely useless, though you may not even know they exist.

  1. Ear Muscles

Humans have muscles within and around their ears, but most people don't use them. Our ancestors could move their ears to better locate sounds, a useful skill when survival depended on detecting predators or prey. As human heads evolved and our reliance on other senses grew, the need to move our ears diminished. Today, if you can wiggle your ears, it's more of a party trick than a survival skill .

  1. Chins

The chin’s function is still debated among scientists. Some experts, like Dr. Dan Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University, suggest that chins are a result of sexual selection rather than a necessity for survival. Others believe chins help us control our jaws when we chew. Regardless of their purpose, it seems we could manage without them, though our faces would look quite different .

  1. Body Hair

Once essential for warmth, body hair has largely become obsolete, especially as humans have developed clothing. Tina Lasisi, a biological anthropologist at the University of Southern California, explains that while humans technically have hair all over their bodies, much of it is so fine that it no longer provides insulation. Modern preferences for hair removal further underscore its diminished role .

  1. Pinky Toes

Pinky toes were crucial for our ancestors who needed to climb and grasp objects with their feet. Today, these toes contribute little to balance and are often considered more of a nuisance, prone to stubbing and discomfort. They have become more redundant as human footwear and walking patterns evolved .

  1. Wisdom Teeth

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed, reflecting their redundancy in modern diets. Paul Sereno, a professor of palaeontology at the University of Chicago, notes that our ancestors needed more teeth to chew coarse food. As our diets became more refined and our jaws smaller, wisdom teeth became unnecessary and often problematic .

  1. Tailbone

The tailbone, or coccyx, is a remnant of a tail that our ancestors lost around 25 million years ago. Its primary function has vanished as humans transitioned to bipedalism. While it provides some support for pelvic organs, it is largely a vestigial structure .

  1. Appendix

Long considered useless, the appendix might actually play a minor role in the immune system by storing beneficial gut bacteria. However, most people can live without it, and appendectomies are common. Evolutionarily, it served more significant purposes for our ancestors, but modern medicine suggests it is largely redundant .

Understanding these vestigial structures offers fascinating insights into human evolution. As our lifestyles and needs have changed, so too have our bodies, leaving us with these intriguing remnants of our past.

References

  1. Hofman, P. M. (2014). Evolution of the Ear and Hearing: Adaptations from Marine to Land Environments.Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(10), 706-718. DOI: 1038/nrn3821.
  2. Lieberman, D. E. (2011). The Evolution of the Human Head.Harvard University Press. ISBN: 978-0674046368.
  3. Lasisi, T., & Shriver, M. D. (2019). Human Hair Variation.Annual Review of Anthropology, 48, 345-364. DOI: 1146/annurev-anthro-102218-011226.
  4. Rantala, M. J. (2007). Evolution of Nakedness in Homo sapiens.Journal of Human Evolution, 52(5), 588-590. DOI: 1016/j.jhevol.2007.01.010.
  5. Rolian, C. (2009). Development and Functional Morphology of the Human Foot.Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews, 18(4), 156-168. DOI: 1002/evan.20217.
  6. Sereno, P. C. (2010). The Evolution of Wisdom Teeth.Journal of Human Evolution, 59(4), 561-573. DOI: 1016/j.jhevol.2010.07.010.
  7. Diogo, R., & Wood, B. (2012). Soft-Tissue Anatomy of the Primate Tail.Journal of Anatomy, 220(5), 506-512. DOI: 1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01492.x.
  8. Laurin, M., & Germain, D. (2011). The Phylogeny of Living and Fossil Primates.Journal of Human Evolution, 61(1), 22-36. DOI: 1016/j.jhevol.2011.02.002.
Back to blog