The rudimentary organs of the human being

Rudimentary organs of humans are those organs in the body that, over the course of evolution, have ceased to function and are no longer significant.

Rudiments and atavisms

Rudiments and atavisms have fundamental differences. Unlike the non-functioning parts of the body that are often found in the Earth's population, which are rudimentary organs, atavisms are very rare. Atavisms include such unique cases as:

• additional mammary glands to the existing ones;
• tail appendage;
• hair covering the entire surface of a person's body;
• and others.

Rudimentary organs and their purpose

Numerous scientific studies have helped to conclude that vestigial organs are an example of evidence of evolution. Thus, the following are confirmed:

• the theory of evolution (due to the discovery of certain relationships between organisms that exist now and those that have become extinct)
• natural selection (due to the action of which an unnecessary trait was removed)

Nowadays, vestigial organs have a specific purpose, although their basic functional capabilities have been lost due to uselessness.

Rudimentary organs in humans include:

Appendix

The appendix is an appendage of the cecum. The average size of this rudiment is 10 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Inflammation of this appendage, appendicitis, is now treated by surgery. Before the breakthrough in medical science, appendicitis was most often fraught with a fatal outcome. Previously, the appendix performed important functions and allowed the human body to digest hard food. Now the appendix also plays a certain role in hormonal processes, performs some secretory functions and has a certain protective role.

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Coccyx

The coccyx is a fused vertebrae (3 to 5 in number) at the bottom of the spine. This organ is perceived as a rudimentary tail process. Now it is important for the human body in the following aspects:

• The ligaments and muscles responsible for the distal parts of the large intestine are attached to the coccyx
• some of the muscles attached to the coccyx are responsible for the normal functioning of the genitourinary system
• Attached to the coccyx is a portion of the gluteal muscle, which plays an important role in the process of hip extension and flexion
• Thanks to the coccyx, the load on the pelvic bones is evenly distributed.

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Ear muscles

This rudimentary organ is less common than others and is the muscles that are located around the auricle. Individuals that have this organ are able to perform independent movements of the ears. Now these muscles do not perform any functions. Previously, they helped to better hear the approach of enemies, animals and avoid danger.

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Morgagni's ventricles of the larynx

The rudimentary organ exists as depressions in the area between the vocal folds (false and true) on the sides of the larynx. They once played an important role in protecting the larynx and were needed to create different sounds. Now they are involved in the process of creating a resonant voice.

Wisdom teeth

These rudimentary teeth are the eighth in number and grow at about 18-25 years. The main function they performed was productive chewing of coarse raw food. The need for them disappeared when humanity began to heat-treat food products.

Often wisdom teeth grow in abnormally in relation to the others, for example, they grow sideways or dig into the cheek. This is due to the fact that over the course of evolution the brain has grown, the jaws have become smaller, and wisdom teeth have not changed their growth trajectory.

Wisdom teeth can sometimes be an obstacle to maintaining oral hygiene because of the food that gets into these teeth. They are also difficult to clean. They are often removed immediately after they appear. However, in our time there are people who do not have wisdom teeth.

Epicanthus

The epicanthus, or third eyelid, is characteristic of the Bushmen and the Mongoloid race. It looks like a fold and creates the effect of narrowing the eye shape. Scientists agree that this rudiment previously played a protective role, based on natural conditions.

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Pyramidal abdominal muscle

This organ looks like a small triangular muscle in the anterior abdominal muscle group. It currently has no function in humans. It is absent in a large part of the population. However, it is present and plays an important role in all marsupials.

Other organs

Some races and peoples have rudimentary human organs that are not typical for others. Thus, among the Bushmen and Hottentots, fat deposits on the thighs and buttocks perform approximately the same functions as the humps of camels.