The Adam's apple is a protrusion located at the level of the larynx, more prominent in men due to their anatomy. It is formed by the thyroid cartilage and is more pronounced in individuals of the male sex due to testosterone, which stimulates the growth of this cartilage during puberty.
The Adam's apple is the visible and prominent bump located at the front of the throat, especially pronounced in men. It can be easily felt by touch. In reality, it's just cartilage— a type of solid yet flexible tissue— that forms the front of the larynx, the organ that houses your vocal cords. This particular cartilage is called the thyroid cartilage. The bump appears because this cartilage makes a sharper angle towards the front in men, creating this small, visible point under your skin that is very easy to spot.
The Adam's apple is nothing more than the cartilage located at the front of your neck, more specifically the thyroid cartilage. At puberty, in men, this cartilage develops, thickens, and protrudes forward due to male hormones, particularly testosterone. This additional growth creates a visible bump under the skin, hence its nickname Adam's apple. During development, this anatomical change coincides with the deepening of the voice, explaining that generally the more pronounced the Adam's apple, the deeper the voice. Although everyone has this cartilage, its visible enlargement is mainly a boys' story during adolescence.
The presence of a prominent Adam's apple in men is mainly due to the action of testosterone, the quintessential male hormone. At puberty, testosterone stimulates the growth of the larynx, and this hormonal surge causes an increase in thyroid cartilage, forming the characteristic bulge in the neck. In boys, the hormonal increase is strong enough for this anatomical change to be visible and lasting. In girls, the low amount of testosterone generally prevents this transformation from becoming as apparent.
The Adam's apple is a visible part of the thyroid cartilage, larger in men. It protects the vocal cords, which are located just behind it. But it's not just for show or to show off: this protrusion directly influences the male voice. How? The larger this area is, the longer and thicker the vocal cords are. The result: a deeper and more profound voice. In fact, it's during adolescence, when testosterone arrives in large quantities, that this transformation occurs. That's why boys' voices crack, change pitch, and drop an octave.
In women, the Adam's apple is generally less prominent because the thyroid cartilage develops less, especially during adolescence. This is all due to the difference in sex hormones: in males, testosterone is responsible for pronounced cartilage growth, making it larger and more visible. In females, this cartilage often remains small and flat in front of the neck, giving this area a softer and smoother appearance. Some women may have a slightly visible Adam's apple, but this is rare and typically due to personal or genetic hormonal variations.
The increased visibility of the Adam's apple during adolescence is caused by the thickening of the thyroid cartilage, stimulated by high levels of male sex hormones, particularly testosterone.
Although more prominent in men, the Adam's apple also exists in women. It is primarily the size and shape of the thyroid cartilage that generally make this prominence less noticeable in women than in men.
The size of your Adam's apple has no proven link to testosterone levels or your masculinity. Its size mainly depends on genetic and anatomical factors unique to each individual.
It is possible to surgically reduce the size of the Adam's apple, a procedure called chondrolaryngoplasty, usually offered in the context of male-to-female gender transition. This practice is also known as "tracheal shave."
Yes, all women also have a thyroid cartilage, but in general, it remains less prominent than in men due to hormonal and anatomical differences, which makes it rarely visible.
The Adam's apple typically becomes visible during puberty, between the ages of 11 and 15. Its growth corresponds to the onset of hormonal and physical changes in adolescents, often associated with a deepening voice.
Under normal circumstances, no, the Adam's apple does not cause pain or danger. However, in rare cases such as trauma or infection, pain or discomfort may occur, indicating that a medical consultation would be necessary.
Yes, a surgical procedure called chondrolaryngoplasty allows for the reduction of the size of the Adam's apple for aesthetic reasons or as part of gender transition. However, this operation should be carefully discussed with a specialist.
Indirectly, yes. The Adam's apple corresponds to the thyroid cartilage, which protects the vocal cords. A larger Adam's apple generally indicates longer vocal cords, which often leads to a deeper voice.
0% of respondents passed this quiz completely!
Question 1/5
