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| By Jmarchn and Mikael Häggström |
Have you ever heard of the fabella? It is a small, sesame-shaped bone that can be found in some people’s knees. It is not a vital part of the human anatomy, and in fact, it was thought to have disappeared from our species over time. But recent studies have revealed that the fabella is making a comeback, and no one knows why.
In this blog post, we will explore the history, function, and implications of the fabella, and how it relates to the urban legends about a mysterious change in 39% of the world’s population.
What is the Fabella and What Does It Do?
The fabella is a sesamoid bone, which means it is embedded within a tendon or a muscle. It is located behind the knee, in the tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle. The fabella can vary in size, shape, and number, and it is not present in everyone. Some people may have one fabella in each knee, some may have two or more, and some may have none at all.
The exact function of the fabella is not clear, but it may have some roles in biomechanics, such as reducing friction, increasing leverage, or protecting the joint. However, the fabella can also cause problems, such as pain, inflammation, arthritis, or nerve compression. Some people may need to have their fabella removed surgically if it causes too much trouble.
How Did the Fabella Disappear and Reappear?
The fabella was first described by the Italian anatomist Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century, but it was not considered a common feature of the human skeleton. In fact, the fabella was thought to have been lost during human evolution, as our ancestors became more upright and bipedal. The fabella was seen as a vestigial structure, like the appendix or the wisdom teeth, that had no use in modern humans.
However, recent research has shown that the fabella is not extinct, but rather, it is increasing in prevalence. A meta-analysis of 58 studies from 27 countries, published in 2019, found that the fabella was present in 39% of the people examined, compared to 11.2% in 1918. This means that the fabella has become more than three times more common in the last century.
The researchers suggest that several factors may be associated with the increase in fabella, such as improved nutrition, better physique, longer lifespan, and more sedentary lifestyle. These factors may have led to changes in the size and shape of the knee joint, the length and strength of the leg muscles, and the weight and height of the body, which may have influenced the development of the fabella.
What Does the Fabella Mean for the Future of Humanity?
The fabella is a fascinating example of how the human body can change over time, and how it can adapt to different environmental and lifestyle conditions. However, the fabella also raises some questions and challenges for the future of humanity.
For instance, how will the fabella affect the health and performance of the knee joint, especially in the context of aging, obesity, and sports? Will the fabella become more beneficial or detrimental for the people who have it? How will the fabella interact with other factors, such as genetics, epigenetics, and diseases, that may influence the development and function of the skeleton? And most importantly, why is the fabella reappearing now, and what does it signify for the evolution of our species?
Some people may see the fabella as a sign of a mysterious change in 39% of the world’s population, and wonder if it is related to some hidden forces or secrets. Some may even believe that the fabella is a mark of a special or superior group of humans, who have some advantages or abilities that others do not. However, these are just urban legends, and there is no evidence to support them.
The truth is, the fabella is just a bone, and it does not make anyone better or worse than anyone else. It is simply a variation of the human anatomy, that may have some pros and cons, depending on the individual and the situation. The fabella is not a mystery, but a curiosity, that can teach us more about ourselves and our history.
Conclusion
The fabella is a small bone that can be found in some people’s knees. It was thought to have been lost during human evolution, but it has reappeared in the last century, and it is becoming more common. The fabella may have some roles in biomechanics, but it can also cause some problems, such as pain or arthritis. The fabella is a result of changes in nutrition, physique, lifespan, and lifestyle, and it may have implications for the health and evolution of the human species. The fabella is not a mystery, but a curiosity, that can inspire us to learn more about our body and our past.
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