For many years, scientists have been trying to find out why a person needs certain parts of the body, called rudiments. The thing is that the rudiments have no direct functionality and scientists cannot accurately explain how they can serve a person. Once Darwin explained their presence by confirming his theory of evolution. And although in the scientific world they have been talking about this for a long time, many people still do not know what kind of organs they are. Therefore, today Estet-portal will tell you what these parts of the body are and how they affect the human body.
The concept of rudiments in modern biology
In modern biology, scientists view rudiments as organs that can help trace the relationship between several species and their common ancestors. But if these organs were important for our ancestors, then in the descendants they are deformed or atrophied.
In our time, scientists are still looking for answers to questions about what functions the rudiments performed earlier and whether they benefit the human body.
Appendix – important for herbivores
For herbivorous animals the appendix is very important. They have a larger shape and are much better developed. The main function of the appendix in herbivores is to aid in the digestion of large amounts of food.
In humans, the appendix has a worm-shaped form of a small process and is located at the junction of the small and large intestines. The human appendix is not directly involved in the process of digestion.
As you know, clogging of this organ leads to its inflammation. The inflammatory process that occurs with the appendix is called appendicitis. In scientific circles, they joke that the main benefit from this rudiment is aimed at surgeons, since they perform about 300 thousand operations to remove this organ.
Nipples in men – just for arousal
Nipples in men are also referred to as vestigial organs due to the fact that they do not perform any functions, except perhaps for participation in the process of arousal. Of course, even here there are exceptions. It is worth noting that there were cases when men excreted milk. But this is not something supernatural, since the mammary glands are present in all mammals, regardless of gender. Because of this, men are also at risk of breast cancer.
Coccyx – this is the former tail
The human coccyx consists of several rudimentary vertebrae that have grown together and is located in the lower part of the spine. A similar "process" is not only in humans, but also in vertebral tailless animals. It is believed that coccyx – is the rest of the tail. As a result of evolution, the need for a tail for humans has disappeared. But a small part of it remained. Sometimes children are born with a few extra vertebrae in the coccyx area, which are a small tail. These processes do not carry any harm to a person. But during the Middle Ages, children with such atavism were considered the offspring of the devil, and they were killed along with their mother.
But there are scientists who do not consider the coccyx to be rudimentary, since they believe that it plays a significant role in distributing the load on the human spine. Especially with loads in a sitting position.
Pilo erection effect – when the fur stands on end
The effect of piloerection or in simple terms "goosebumps" does not have any function on the human body. Although for animals this is a very important ability. The coat of the beast stands on end with excitement, fear or aggression. Thus, the animal visually becomes larger. This ability helps them survive and hunt.
For a person, this function of the body is useless. But the human hair itself has very important functions. For example, eyebrows and eyelashes protect a person's eyes.
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