Question

Which set includes all vestigial structure of a man.

• A. Ear muscle, atlas, body hairs
• B. coccyx, wisdom teeth, patella
• C. Coccyx, wisdom teeth, ear muscle
• D. Vermiform appendix, body hair, cochlea

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Coccyx, wisdom teeth, ear muscle

The correct option is C:

Explanation for the correct option:

1. Coccyx: It is a bone, located at the end of the vertebral column. It is a triangular structure consisting of three to five bone like shape. It is also called the tail bone, which represents a vestigial organ. It does not have any function in the human skeletal system apart from anchoring muscles.
2. Wisdom teeth: There are four wisdom teeth in humans usually grows at the end of puberty. It is a vestigial organ as humans no longer eat raw meat due to the evolution in food intake. Early humans used wisdom tooth to tear raw flesh.
3. Ear muscles: It is also called ear pinna, it does not have any function at present therefore, it’s a vestigial organ. It contains auricular muscles that earlier helped in the amplification of sound.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Although ear muscles is a vestigial organ, atlas and body hair have important functions in the body.
2. Atlas helps in the movement of neck along with supporting the skull where as body hair regulates the temperature of the body and protects the eyes and nose from dust particles.

Option B:

1. Coccyx and wisdom teeth are vestigial organs.
2. Patella is located in the anterior of the knees and helps in the movement of knees along with giving support.

Option D:

1. Appendix is a vestigial organ.
2. Body hair helps in regulation of temperature in the body whereas the cochlea present in the inner ear helps in hearing.

Final answer: Hence, coccyx, wisdom teeth and ear muscles are vestigial organs.