What do vestigial organs resemble

According to some scientists the hymen present in young girls protects the vagina and reproductive system from infection starting from embryonic stage till the time when they first mate. However, hymen present in horses , elephants , chimps etc.

Hirsuties Coronae Glandis — These are small outgrowths which protrude from the ridge of glans of the penis. They are sometimes mistaken with HPV infection.

They are also called as hirustoid papillomas or pearly penile papules. They are remnants of penile spines which are present in the males of other species of animals. The penile spines which are completely functional help in sexual stimulation and it also aids in quicker orgasms. This is unusual occurrence is because our mammal ancestors and the present mammal relatives have more than two breasts and this feature sometimes occur in humans too.

Palmaris Longus Muscle — This muscle runs from wrist to elbow. It functioned in grip especially for hanging. Tonsils — Tonsils are said to be in the first line of defense organs where they protect the body from the harmful microorganisms which are either inhaled or ingested. However, these tonsils have become a cause of concern lately because they get infected and inflamed and in some cases to such an extent that they have to be surgically removed.

They remain as vestigial organs in human body. Male Nipples — Males or females start their journey of life as females in the womb. The nipples are formed in the fetus by the time the Y chromosome starts its action. When the Y chromosome produces and releases testosterone and other male hormones, the nipples on male fetus are completely formed and remain so for the entire life. This one vestigial organ if we call so is the result of a developmental or embryological event but not an evolutionary one.

They do! They help in sexual arousal when stimulated properly. They too have nerve endings and in reality, the nerve network is far more concentrated in males than females. So, the sensory response for nipple stimulation in males is more discreet compared to women.

Arrector Pili — These are smooth muscles smooth muscles are the muscles which act involuntarily which are present under our skin and these muscles are responsible for the goose bumps we get when we feel cold or stressed. It is a vestigial behavioral reflex. This reflex had a couple of very important functions in our ancestors. Our ancestors had their bodies covered with hair.

In case of a predatory threat, the hair used to stand erect, making them look bigger than usual and thereby warding off predators. Also, erect hair helped to trap body heat from escaping and thereby helped them to stay warm. But now, the hair on human body is scanty and the goose bumps are of no real function now. The ability of babies to hold onto any object is Palmar Grasp Reflex. It is seen in hands and feet. Tadpoles take in air and water through their gills by a motor reflex which is similar to the reflex seen when we get a hiccup.

A fractured coccyx is extremely uncomfortable and may require you to sit on a donut-shaped cushion for weeks on end. Have you ever watched a cat and seen his ears move when they notice an interesting sound? For many of our mammalian cousins, the external ear acts like a satellite dish, amplifying the sound waves reaching the external auditory canal, middle ear, and inner ear.

For we humans it is rudimentary, serving little biological function, other than to be a place to rest our glasses. Not only do men have nipples but they also have a small amount of breast material.

Male nipples do not have much of a function but they exist for a very good reason. Early on in the womb, every fetus starts as female, until the Y chromosome kicks in and the fetus develops as a male. In adolescence, the Y chromosome determines that the nipple and breast material do not develop into breasts. Rarely men can produce milk and develop breast cancer. Our hairy ancestors were grateful for their arrector pili when the weather was cold or when a predator approached.

Arrector pili, smooth muscles in the skin, fluffed up their thick hair, improving heat retention or making them look bigger or more threatening. This effect is little more than interesting, offering very little in the way of heat retention in even the most hirsute hairy men. Did you know you have a vestigial third eyelid? The plica semilunaris is a small fold of tissue located on the inside corner of your eye—the flap next to the bump in the corner of the eye.

It should be mentioned that gene mutation which can result in a change in protein structures can also give rise to vestigial organs. A good example is the degraded eyes of blind fish and salamanders. Mutation in genes have increased the number of taste buds in their tongue but have made them blind.

The human appendix and coccyx. In septic weed Cassia occidentalis the androecium is vestigial. The teeth of the whale shark. It cannot be used to bite anything and is a filter feeder. Below we will talk about different types of human, animal and plant vestigial organs. Sinuses: The human face consists of air pockets called sinuses.

They are lined by a thin layer of mucosa but they do not have any significant functions. However, an infection can lead to sinusitis. Coccyx: Also known as the tailbone, coccyx forms the last part of the vertebral column. It is the residue of the lost tailbone and is observed during human embryogenesis.