Question

Name any three vestigial organs found in humans.

Answer 1

The three vestigial organs found in humans are:

1. Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the last molars on each side of both jaws. The wisdom teeth are so-called as they appear to last at the age of about 17-20 years. They are smaller and less complex than other teeth. We hardly use our wisdom teeth to chew our food.
2. Vermiform appendix: The vermiform appendix projects from the blind end of the caecum (a part of the large intestine) as a narrow worm-like tube. It is a functionless (vestigial) organ in humans, but its corresponding organ in herbivorous mammals (like sheep) is quite helpful in digesting cellulose.
3. Pinna: The pinna is the projecting lobe-like part of the external ear, which simply provides a passage from the auditory canal leading to the eardrum. We can not move the pinna to gather the sound waves, which is its main function in other mammals. Complete but poorly developed and functionless muscles are present in human beings in connection with the pinna. Thus, the pinna provides another example of a vestigial organ.