When you think of mutants, you might envision superheroes flying and shooting laser beams from their eyes. But that’s not quite the case.
Unique Characteristics of the Human Body
While physical mutations may not grant you superpowers to save the world in a crisis, there are certain traits that are incredibly rare and make their bearers truly unique, if they’re fortunate enough to possess them.
1. Having a thumb with three phalanges or an extra finger
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Only 1 in 1,000 people are born with a sixth finger, and 1 in 1,000 have three phalanges in their pinky. However, this is not a disability; in fact, it can have significant advantages.
Doctors have even discovered that the brains of these individuals are fully capable of controlling the extra appendage without any cognitive overload occurring.
2. Having an extra rib
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Most people have 24 ribs (12 pairs), but it is still possible to have an extra rib on the right, left, or both sides. Extra ribs can be present at birth and may go unnoticed throughout a person’s life.
They may not even appear on X-rays, as they can be mistaken for a thin strand of tissue. While it sounds alarming, additional ribs are usually harmless unless they press against blood vessels or nerves.
3. Having “golden blood” – only about 50 people in the world have it
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The term “golden blood” refers to an extremely rare and valuable blood type – Rhnull, which completely lacks Rh antigens. In 1961, an Aboriginal Australian became the first known person with this blood type. Since then, only about 50 people have been identified with this remarkable trait.
4. Having a small hole on the ear
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0.1 to 10 percent – newborns around the world are born with a small hole on their ear, which is essentially an unusual combination of ear anatomy. Not much is known about this feature, but it is believed to be related to infections that cause pain and swelling.
5. Individuals with “unbreakable” bones
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These individuals have a mutation caused by the body overactivating the LRP5 gene, which leads to abnormal density in their bone structure. Their bones are so strong that some even report having difficulty staying afloat while swimming.
6. Uncombed hair
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A mutation in the controlling genes can cause hair to enter a state known as “fiber glass hair,” meaning your hair becomes so dry and frizzy that it is virtually impossible to comb it down no matter how hard you try.
7. A rare muscle in your wrist
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Place your palm on a flat surface, then touch your pinky and thumb together while slightly lifting them. If you notice something unusual, congratulations, you possess “Palmaris Longus.”
There is a hypothesis that Palmaris Longus serves as an anchor for the skin and muscles of the hand. Only about 30% of people have this characteristic.
