Adam’s apple, also known as the laryngeal prominence, is a prominent feature on the neck of males caused by the protrusion of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx. The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage in the larynx and it protects the vocal cords.
The larynx is located at the front of the neck, between the base of the tongue and the trachea (windpipe), and is responsible for producing sound and facilitating breathing. During puberty, as the larynx grows larger in males, the thyroid cartilage protrudes more prominently, leading to the characteristic appearance of the Adam’s apple.
In addition to its visual prominence, the Adam’s apple also plays a role in voice production. The vocal cords are located within the larynx and the Adam’s apple helps to protect them. When sound is produced, the vocal cords vibrate and the resulting sound is amplified and resonated in the larynx, which is then modulated by the lips, tongue, and other structures of the vocal tract to produce speech.
While the Adam’s apple is more commonly seen in males, it can also be present in females, although to a lesser extent due to the smaller size of the larynx. In some cases, enlargement of the thyroid cartilage can occur due to hormonal imbalances or other medical conditions, which can cause a more prominent Adam’s apple in both males and females.
