If a Tendon Raises Up When You Touch Your Pinky to Your Thumb, Here’s What It Could Mean
What It Means if a Tendon Raises Up When You Touch Your Pinky to Your Thumb
The human body retains various evolutionary traits, some of which no longer serve a clear function but offer fascinating insight into our ancestral past. One such remnant is the palmaris longus tendon, found in the forearm. This tendon was once crucial for arboreal primates, aiding in climbing, but humans no longer need it for movement. Today, it remains in about 85-90% of the population.
To check for this tendon, place your forearm on a table, palm facing up, and touch your pinky to your thumb. If a tendon raises in the middle of your wrist, you have it. Those without this tendon are showing an example of ongoing human evolution, as the trait has gradually phased out over time.
The presence or absence of this tendon is a tangible link to our evolutionary history, demonstrating how evolution continues to shape us. These physical remnants, from goosebumps to ancient muscles, are constant reminders of the adaptations that have shaped our species.
