Other Mammals Have This, Why Don't You?

TL;DR

Humans do not have the panniculus carnosus muscle, a muscle present in most mammals that helps with insect removal and thermoregulation.

Transcript

Thanks to Babbel, a language learning  app, for supporting this SciShow video. As a SciShow viewer, you can use our link  to grow your language skills with Babbel for up to 60% off with a 20  day money-back guarantee. [♪ INTRO] Humans are pretty special among mammals. Like all the others, we have hair on our  bodies and feed our young breastmilk. B... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Humans lack the panniculus carnosus muscle, which is present in most mammals.
• 💨 The muscle helps with insect removal, thermoregulation, and wound healing in other mammals.
• 💪 The loss of this muscle is related to the development of flexible forelimbs and shoulders in humans and other apes.
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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the panniculus carnosus muscle and what is its function in other mammals?

The panniculus carnosus muscle is a thin sheet of muscle found in most mammals, and it primarily twitches to help dislodge insects, birds, or foreign objects from the skin. It also aids in thermoregulation and wound healing.

Q: Why don't humans have the panniculus carnosus muscle?

Humans have remnants of the panniculus carnosus muscle, but they are not functional and do not serve a significant purpose. The loss of this muscle is attributed to the development of flexible forelimbs and shoulders, which allow us to remove insects without the need for skin-twitching.

Q: Do any primates still have the panniculus carnosus muscle?

Most primates, including lemurs, lorises, and several species of monkeys, still have the panniculus carnosus muscle. However, dissections have shown that most gorillas do not have it, suggesting that it is vestigial or unimportant.

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Humans have the ability to speak multiple languages and communicate globally. Apps like Babbel help individuals learn languages through short 10-minute lessons, making language learning more accessible and convenient.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Humans lack the panniculus carnosus muscle, a thin sheet of muscle found in other mammals that helps them twitch their skin to remove insects.

• The panniculus carnosus muscle is useful for thermoregulation and wound healing in other mammals.

• The muscle is present in most primates but has been lost in humans and other apes due to the development of flexible forelimbs and shoulders that allow us to remove insects without the need for skin-twitching.