Source :NEWS18 NEWS
Last Updated:January 20, 2025, 19:08 IST
A recent study has found out that a forearm artery, once thought to disappear after birth, now persists in more adults. This artery’s prevalence has tripled since the 1880s, a significant increase over a short period
In the 1880s, this artery was visible in only 10 per cent of the population. (Representative/News18 Hindi)
Physiology experts are well-versed in the complex network of arteries in the human body, understanding their size, function, and the pathways they use to transport blood back to the heart. It is from the heart that blood is pumped to the kidneys for filtration, before being circulated throughout the body.
A recent study has revealed a fascinating discovery: an artery, previously thought to disappear after birth, is now persisting in adults.
related stories
According to the study by researchers from Australia’s University of Adelaide and Flinders University, the temporary artery passing through the middle of our arm does not disappear as easily as it once did. This means that more adults than ever before retain this artery below their wrist.
According to Flinders University physiologist Teghan Lucas, anatomists have been studying this artery since the 18th century and have found that the number of adults with this artery is increasing.
In the 1880s, it was visible in only 10 per cent of the population. By the latter half of the 20th century, this figure had increased to 30 per cent. In evolutionary terms, this change represents a significant increase over a short period.
This artery, present in all humans from the outset, supplies blood to the hand. Around the eighth week of gestation, it typically regresses, its function assumed by two other vessels: the radial and ulnar arteries. However, physiologists recognise that this regression is not always complete. In some individuals, the artery may persist for a month or more. It was frequently observed that a baby’s arm or hand continued to supply blood even after birth.
To determine the prevalence of this persistent artery, researchers studied 80 hands from the cadavers of Australians of European descent. The donors, aged between 51 and 101, were all born in the first half of the 20th century.
The study published in the Journal of Anatomy revealed a surprising increase in the prevalence of this prominent forearm artery. Researchers investigating the frequency of the well-functioning median artery found a threefold increase in its presence compared to records from a century ago. This striking discovery highlighted a significant anatomical shift over a relatively short period.
This research indicates that natural selection favoured individuals with increased blood flow. While this enhanced blood flow likely provided greater hand strength, it also appears to increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that can significantly impair hand function.
Regardless of the underlying cause, the research suggested that by the year 2100, the median nerve, crucial for hand function, will be present and functional throughout the lifespan of most individuals.
According to researchers, a small knee bone, called the fabella, is three times more common in humans than it was a century ago. These minor evolutionary changes at the microscopic level can collectively define major changes in a species. Such changes not only open up new avenues for health but also introduce the possibility of diseases that are currently unimaginable.
SOURCE : NEWS 18
