6 BODY PARTS YOU DON’T REALLY NEED

Apparently, the human body has a junk drawer.

Thanks to evolution, we’re still walking around with a few body parts that were useful to our ancestors, but today? We can live perfectly well without them. Some of them actually cause more trouble than they’re worth. Basically, evolution forgot to clean out the garage.

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1. THE APPENDIX

The appendix is a tiny pouch attached to your large intestine. Scientists believe it may still play a small role in gut health, but you can live normally without it. Which is convenient, because when it gets infected, it can cause appendicitis and may need emergency surgery. The appendix is basically that employee who barely does anything, then suddenly creates an emergency.

2. THE GALLBLADDER

Your gallbladder stores bile, which helps your body digest fat. But if you develop painful gallstones or repeated gallbladder attacks, doctors may remove the whole thing. Afterward, your liver simply sends bile directly into your small intestine. Your liver basically says, “Fine. I’ll do it myself.”

3. TONSILS

Tonsils help catch germs entering through your nose and mouth. Unfortunately, they can also become chronically infected or enlarged, causing sore throats, snoring and sleep problems. If they become troublesome enough, out they come. The best part of tonsil surgery as a kid? Everyone suddenly encourages you to eat ice cream.

4. WISDOM TEETH

Wisdom teeth usually show up between ages 17 and 25. Our ancestors had larger jaws and ate tougher foods, so those extra molars were useful. Today, many of us simply don’t have enough room for them, so they become impacted, crowded or infected. Also, calling them “wisdom teeth” is generous. Mine showed up at 19, when I thought tequila was a personality.

5. PALMARIS LONGUS

This is a small muscle and tendon running through your forearm into your hand. Want to see if you have one? Hold your palm up, touch your thumb to your pinky and slightly flex your wrist. If a tendon pops up in the middle of your wrist, you may have it. A significant number of people are born without one, and it doesn’t appear to affect grip strength. Researchers think our ancestors may have found it more useful for climbing and swinging through trees. These days, the most climbing I do is getting into bed.

6. PLANTARIS

This is a tiny muscle running down the back of your lower leg. Some people are born without it and never notice. It may contribute somewhat to movement and body awareness, but you certainly don’t need it to get around. Basically, it’s the decorative throw pillow of leg muscles. Nice to have, apparently, but nobody knows why it’s still there.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

The human body is incredible. It’s also carrying around extra teeth, questionable muscles and an appendix that could randomly try to kill you.