Lecture Notes: The Adam's Apple

Overview

• The Adam's apple is a prominent chunk of stiff cartilage wrapped around the larynx.
• It is also known as the laryngeal prominence.

Presence in Men and Women

• Found in both men and women.
• More prominent in men.

Anatomical Structure

• Part of a cartilage structure located on top of the thyroid gland.
• The area is called thyroid cartilage.

Development and Puberty

• In young boys and girls, thyroid cartilage is about the same size.
• During puberty, testosterone levels increase in boys.
  • This causes the voice box to enlarge more in boys than in girls.
  • Larger voice boxes give men deeper voices.
  • The enlarged voice box pushes thyroid cartilage outward, forming the Adam's apple.

Function

• Does not serve a significant purpose.
• Similar to cartilage in the nose or ears, it is just present without a specific function.

Conclusion

• The Adam's apple remains one of life's little mysteries.
• For more information, additional resources are available on LiveScience.com.

Additional Resources

• Videos and articles on Life's Little Mysteries and LiveScience.com.