Anatomy question: What is the scientific explanation of the existence of the adam's apple?

Question

What creates such protrusion in the neck?
And is it really gender related (prominence in men), or simply the association of folklore?

Answer 1

I'm not sure, but this might help...

"The human larynx rests in a frame of cartilage bound by ligaments and muscles. At the front is the thyroid cartilage, creating the lump at the front of the neck, known as the laryngeal prominence or more commonly as the Adam's apple. The lump, or protrusion, is caused by the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx. Though more common in men, some women have Adam's Apples as well.

Regarding the etymology of the term "Adam's apple", Webster's 1913 dictionary states that the term "… is so called from a notion that it was caused by the forbidden fruit, (an apple) sticking in the throat of our first parent." A reference to Adam in the Book of Genesis."

Answer 2

Testosterone makes bones grow, including the ones around the larynx. It causes the vocal cords to lengthen, as well. The effect (longer cords and larger larynx) causes a deeper voice with more resonance.

Women with some hint of Adam's apple have a deep voice (for a woman). Men with little or no Adam's apple have a high pitched voice (for a man).

Answer 3

when one grows the larynx... short term.. adam apples will grow too. This happens during puberty. because the boy's larynx grows bigger, having more flaps, to have an even better .. i meant deeper voice. Girls don't have it because we don't have a deep voice. But girl's larynx does grows. but not as much.

Answer 4

your adams apple is really called your thyroid cartalidge, and is part of your larynx. it protects your vocal cords, and yes, it is more prominent in men because it has less fat covering it.

Answer 5

i am not sure, but i certainly believe that it is related to gender, too