Despite scientific progress, the human body still has unexplored parts, like newly found saliva – producing organs. This shows how unique and complex our bodies are. Many features exist in only a small percentage of people, highlighting human body individuality.
Fingers and toes without nails
The idea of having no fingernails or toenails is unsettling, yet some are born that way. Anonychia congenita is a rare condition where people are born without them. But it doesn’t affect health; sometimes, only some nails are missing.
A small hole near the ear
A small hole near the ear is a rare condition called preauricular pit. It can be on one or both ears, mostly on the right. It’s usually harmless and causes no health problems.
Constant body odor
Constant body odor, or trimethylaminuria, is rare, with only about 100 reported cases. The body has a chemical, trimethylamine, with an unpleasant smell. While most can process it easily, some can’t. So, the chemical builds up in their body and gives off an unpleasant smell through sweat or breath.
Unbreakable bones
A tiny number of people have extremely dense bones due to a genetic mutation called LRP5. It was discovered after a man survived a car accident uninjured in 1994. People with this condition have bones that are hard to break and can adjust to new functional needs by replacing old bone minerals.
Supertasters
Some people are born with more taste buds and are called supertasters. They’re sensitive to bitter flavors in foods like coffee, chocolate, and broccoli. About 25% of the population has this ability, and women are more likely to be supertasters than men.
Excess hair growth
Hypertrichosis, or werewolf syndrome, is when a person has excessive body hair. It’s so rare that only 50 cases have been recorded. The causes aren’t well – known, but it often runs in families and can be present at birth.
Seeing more colors
People with tetrachromacy can see extra colors. We all have photoreceptors in our eyes for seeing light and colors. The average person sees through 3 photoreceptors (blue, green, red), but those with tetrachromacy see through 4. Women are more likely to have this condition, with about 12% having the extra photoreceptor.
The Absence of Tonsils
Typically, kids’ tonsils are removed at a young age, but adults can also have them removed and can live without them. Tonsils are at the back of the throat, and their function is to block germs from entering the mouth. For most, they shrink as we age, but sometimes they don’t and get infected, needing to be removed by a tonsillectomy.