An Adam’s Apple: What Is It and Why Do We Have It?

An Adam’s apple is a lump that forms in the throat of many people around the world of varying genders. It is also known as the laryngeal prominence, and is typically more visible in men than women due to hormonal changes during puberty. Although the Adam’s apple’s nickname is tied to the Bible and its story of Adam, the truth is that everyone has one but the protrusion varies in size. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Adam’s apple and why we have it.

What Is an Adam’s Apple?

An Adam’s apple is a prominent lump at the front of the throat located at the end of the larynx, otherwise known as the voice box. It is usually not detectable in children but becomes more visible during puberty due to hormonal changes. In men, due to the elevation of testosterone levels, the Adam’s apple can become more evident, resulting in a noticeable bump in the throat. Women tend to have a less prominent Adam’s apple due to the modulation of hormones.

The Possible Origin of an Adam’s Apple

The Adam’s apple has been around for as long as we’ve been anatomically modern humans, but where does it come from? Though there is no definitive answer, some scientists have linked the Adam’s apple to fleshy protuberances found in other mammals and theorize that it’s the remnants of a fleshy flap that helped protohumans chew and swallow large pieces of food.

Another theory suggests that the Adam’s apple is a vestige of the physical changes that occur in androgenized primates, like gorillas and chimpanzees. According to this idea, male primates need larger throats to be able to display vocalizations. The laryngeal prominence, then, is the leftover remnant of these proto-human vocalizations, that has persisted into more modern humans.

The Cosmetic and Medical Role of an Adam’s Apple

Today, the Adam’s apple serves no real purpose, but that doesn’t mean there’s no use for it. For instance, some men choose to enhance the look of their neckline by performing margin recontouring surgery, and the Adam’s Apple can also be useful when diagnosing neck or throat diseases.

Sometimes, people can develop goiters, or abnormal enlargements of the thyroid gland in the neck. This medical condition, if left untreated, can cause respiratory complications, so it’s important to be aware of how the Adam’s apple looks and feels to you.

Conclusion

An Adam’s apple is a visible lump of cartilage at the end of the larynx that becomes more prominent in men after puberty due to hormonal changes. Some attribute it to the Bible’s story of Adam, but its origin is uncertain with several theories existing. Nevertheless, today, the Adam’s Apple serves little purpose but can be useful for aesthetic purposes or in the diagnosis of neck and throat diseases.