The Function of the Adam's Apple
The Adam's apple is a small, semi-circular structure that's most prominent on the front of a man's throat. It bobs when you swallow, and in the case of some men, it is extremely prominent. Most people don't know that the Adam's apple has a valuable purpose, and that it does not in fact separate one gender from the other as many people might claim.
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Protection
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The primary purpose of the Adam's apple is to provide protection for the larnyx. The larnyx is the part of the throat where the vocal cords are found. Pressure from the outside of the throat could damage those sensitive parts of the anatomy inside of the throat.
Structure
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The Adam's apple, unlike a real apple, is only a semi-circular shield that isn't round or particularly thick. The walls and front of the larnyx are covered over with thyroid cartilage, which is stiff but not bony, and it's this material that makes up the Adam's apple and protects the vocal cords. This cartilage is similar to the material that makes up parts of the nose and ears.
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Gender
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While the feature may be called the Adam's apple (a reference to the Christian legend of the garden of Eden, and how the apple was supposedly the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil that got mankind expelled from the garden), it is not a gender-specific part of the anatomy. Both men and women have an Adam's apple to protect their throat, though it's more noticeable in men than in women.
Size
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Men have larger, more prominent Adam's apples than women do. The reason for this is that men have longer vocal cords than women do. Often women who develop longer vocal cords also develop a more prominent Adam's apple.
Reduction
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While it isn't commonly done, the Adam's apple may be "peeled," or partially removed when a man undergoes sexual reassignment surgery. Though both genders do have an Adam's apple, it's more strongly associated with the male gender. In order to help complete the feeling and the look of a female, the size of the Adam's apple may be reduced through surgery.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Eau de Toilette "Adam" image by Altmann from Fotolia.com
