Molar (tooth)
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The molars or molar teeth are large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth. They are more developed in mammals. They are used primarily to grind food during chewing. The name molar derives from Latin, m
A lower wisdom tooth after extraction.
Image showing the arrangement of teeth in the mouth of an adult human
The cranium of the Southern marsupial mole (Notoryctes typhlops), showing its zalambdodont molars with V-shaped ectolophs
The skull of a Caucasian pygmy shrew (Sorex volnuchini), showing its dilambdodont molars with W-shaped ectolophs.
Vestigiality
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Vestigiality is the retention, during the process of evolution, of genetically determined structures or attributes that have lost some or all of the ancestral function in a given species. Assessment o
Molar (tooth)
…millstone and dens, tooth. Molars show a great deal of diversity in size and shape across the mammal groups. The third molar of humans is sometimes vestigial. In humans, the molar teeth have either four or five cusps. Adult humans have 12 molars, in four groups of three at the back of the mouth. The third…
Darwin's tubercle (left) is a vestigial form of the ear tip (right) in the mammalian ancestors of humans—here shown in a crab-eating macaque.
Vestigial hindlegs (spurs) in a boa constrictor
The blind mole rat (Spalax typhlus) has tiny eyes completely covered by a layer of skin.
The uniform of the German Feldgendarmerie during WW2, complete with gorget.