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Nonetheless, evolution moves at its own pace – slowly – and approximately 90% of humans still have this vestige trait passed down from our primate progenitor. To determine whether you have this tendon, place your forearm on a table with your palm facing upward. Place your pinky finger next to your thumb and elevate your hand slightly off the surface. If you notice a raised band in the middle of your wrist, you have a tendon attached to the still-existing palmaris longus.
The ways in which our bodies preserve evidence of our evolutionary history continue to astound us. It’s interesting how our physical characteristics, even those that appear unimportant or outmoded, may give profound insights into our evolutionary history.
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