Some believe that these structures are examples of human evolution. Others believe that so-called vestigial organs do have a purpose, although these purposes aren’t yet understood.

Like any vestigial structure, we retain pieces of this genetic material because it really isn’t causing any trouble: Century after century, the “junk” sequence is duplicated and passed on ...

Like any vestigial structure, we retain pieces of this genetic material because it really isn't causing any trouble: Century after century, the "junk" sequence is duplicated and passed on, even if ...

Vestigial structures take many forms: organs, behaviors, and even biochemical processes. Their defining characteristic is they are structures that a species has retained, but no longer serve their ...

Unlike the appendix, wisdom teeth have become vestigial structures. One estimate says 35 percent of the population is born without wisdom teeth, and some say they may disappear altogether.

Vestigial structures are body parts that we've evolved to no longer need. The natural selection process dictates that we keep the traits that continue to serve a purpose while the others become ...

A mechanism that activates specific muscles in our ears is a leftover from our evolutionary past, back when our ancestors depended more on their hearing for survival.

For example, in the 1890s, anatomist Robert Wiedersheim published a list of 86 human "vestiges," or body parts that had "lost their original physiological significance" to humans.

Take humans, for example. Between stages 14 and 22 of human embryogenesis, one can actually observe a tail-like structure that is later absorbed (except when it isn’t… which can happen).