Atavistic Epiphysis Explained
An atavistic epiphysis is a bone growth center that is present in some individuals but is typically absent in modern humans. These growth centers are remnants of ancestral features that have disappeared during the course of human evolution.
Examples of Atavistic Epiphyses
- The supracondylar process of the humerus: This is a small bony projection located on the upper end of the humerus, the bone in the upper arm. It is present in some individuals, but is typically absent in modern humans.
- The os centrale of the carpus: This is a small bone located in the wrist. It is present in some primates, but is typically absent in modern humans.
Significance of Atavistic Epiphyses
The presence of atavistic epiphyses provides evidence for human evolution. They are considered vestiges of our ancestral anatomy and help us understand how our skeletal structure has changed over time.
Further Exploration
- Atavism: The reappearance of an ancestral trait in an organism.
- Evolutionary Biology: The study of the origin and development of life on Earth.
