Why do we need an Adam’s apple and do women have it?
The Adam’s apple is a lump on many people’s necks. It is cartilage on the larynx that is needed to protect the vocal cords from injury. It has no other known functions. Some researchers believe that a larger Adam’s apple plays a role in deepening and maturing the voice. But concrete evidence of this has not yet been found.
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Do women have an Adam’s apple?
Yes, it just may not be as noticeable as in men. Typically, in childhood, laryngeal cartilage is the same size in both sexes, but after puberty it becomes larger in men due to an increase in testosterone levels in the body.
But in women, the Adam’s apple can also be noticeable, for example, due to thin skin and muscles on the neck. This means nothing and does not in any way indicate a different gender or increased testosterone levels.
Why can the Adam’s apple get bigger?
The size of the Adam’s apple does not affect anything, but sometimes it can become swollen and painful. This may be due to laryngitis, thyroid disease , or tumors of the thyroid gland and larynx.
Consult a doctor if your Adam’s apple becomes enlarged and the following signs appear:
- a sore throat;
- labored breathing;
- dyspnea;
- cough;
- wheezing;
- unexplained fatigue;
- excessive sweating.