Human vestigiality

The muscles connected to the ears of a human do not develop enough to have the same mobility allowed to monkeys. Arrows show the vestigial structure called Darwin's tubercle.

In the context of human evolution, vestigiality involves those traits occurring in humans that have lost all or most of their original function through evolution. Although structures called vestigial often appear functionless, a vestigial structure may retain lesser functions or develop minor new ones. In some cases, structures once identified as vestigial simply had an unrecognized function. Vestigial organs are sometimes called rudimentary organs.[1] Many human characteristics are also vestigial in other primates and related animals.

  1. ^ "Difference between rudimentary and vestigial organ - Biology - Evolution - 11741123 | Meritnation.com". www.meritnation.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.