Which one of the following is an example of vestigial organ in man ?

Vestigial organs are reduced or non-functional remnants of structures that were functional in ancestors [t2][t4]. In humans, examples include the vermiform appendix, the coccyx (tailbone), and wisdom teeth [t1][t2]. Among the given options, ear muscles (specifically the auricular muscles) are considered vestigial in humans. While these muscles allow other mammals to move their ears to localize sound, most humans have lost the ability to use them effectively, though the structures remain [t1]. In contrast, the jaw apparatus and humerus (arm bone) are fully functional and essential components of the human skeletal and digestive systems [t5][t8]. Canine teeth in humans, while reduced compared to other primates, still serve a functional role in tearing food and are not classified as vestigial [c2][t8]. Therefore, ear muscles are the correct example of a vestigial organ in man.

Sources

1. [1] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED315322.pdf
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.3.3 Reproduction in Human Beings > p. 121