Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
vestigial organ
noun
/vɛsˈtɪdʒ.i.əl ˈɔːr.ɡən/
Definition
A vestigial organ is a body part that has lost most or all of its original function through the process of evolution.
Examples
- The human appendix is often cited as a vestigial organ since it no longer plays a vital role in digestion.
- Wisdom teeth are another example; they were useful for our ancestors who had a tougher diet.
Meaning
These organs may have been important in the past but are now reduced in size and do not serve their original purpose.
Synonyms
- relic
- remnant
- vestige
