Quirks of Human Anatomy

a day ago

The text discusses various anatomical flaws in humans, ranging from trivial (ear wiggling muscles) to dangerous (choking, childbirth).
It explains how evolutionary history left us with suboptimal designs, such as the backward retina in our eyes, which causes a blind spot.
The eye's evolution is traced back to protochordate ancestors, suggesting that the inverted retina resulted from the nervous system moving inward during neurulation.
Comparison is made between human and fly eyes, highlighting differences (simple vs. compound) and surprising similarities due to shared genetic ancestry.
The text also notes other quirks like useless male nipples, crowded teeth, and the risks of ectopic pregnancy, all framed as evolutionary legacies.
Reflections on flaws include Darwin's observations and the irony of oxygen being both poison and life-essential, emphasizing evolution's trial-and-error nature.

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