What will the human being be like in 1,000 years? What about 100,000? It is difficult to know, but we may be somewhat different than we are now: evolution is slow but inexorable.
Having a median artery can have advantages, but also disadvantages
It is called the satellite artery of the median nerve (or “median artery”) and it is an occasional anatomical variant that usually forms during the first weeks of life of the fetus.
This artery appears in the center of the arm and is responsible for bringing blood to the hands as they grow, but normally it regresses after eight weeks.
A group of researchers has discovered something curious: that extra artery that usually disappears soon appears more and more frequently in humans.
Anatomy expert Teghan Lucas explained how “the prevalence was around 10% in people born in the mid-1880s, compared to 30% in those born in the late 20th century, and that supposes a significant increase in a really short period if we talk about evolution “.
After analyzing 80 limbs from cadavers donated by descendants of people in Australia and Europe, these anatomists discovered that the presence of the artery was becoming more and more frequent. ” This increase could be the result of the mutation of genes involved in the development of the median artery or due to health problems in mothers during pregnancy.”
Having that extra artery could lead to more dexterous fingers or stronger forearms, but it is also true that the presence of this artery in adults poses a greater risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to these researchers, “if this trend continues, most people will have the median artery of the forearm by the year 2100. ” It’s not a huge evolutionary difference, but it certainly shows that humans continue to evolve. And if we don’t do it alone, transhumanism will try to make us do it with external elements like that curious third thumb that someone devised in 2019.
Informative and interesting