You’ve probably heard the old myth. You know, the one where Adam bit the forbidden fruit and a piece got stuck in his throat forever, marking men with that telltale bump. It’s a great story, but biologically? It’s complete nonsense.
The truth is, if you’re human, you have an Adam’s apple. Yes, that includes women.
It’s not some "extra" part that men grow like a beard. It’s actually just a shield of cartilage that everyone is born with. But why does it look so different when comparing an Adam's apple men vs women scenario? The answer isn't just "hormones," though that's a huge part of it. It’s about the physics of sound and how our bodies build a "voice box" during those awkward teenage years.
What is that bump, anyway?
Medically, it's called the laryngeal prominence.
Basically, your larynx (the voice box) is wrapped in several pieces of cartilage to keep it safe. The biggest piece is the thyroid cartilage. Think of it like a protective book cover for your vocal cords.
When you’re a kid, boys and girls have almost identical throat structures. Their voices are high, and their necks are smooth. But then puberty hits, and the hormonal floodgates open.
In males, a surge of testosterone makes the larynx grow significantly larger. As the "box" gets bigger to accommodate longer, thicker vocal cords—which is why guys' voices drop an octave—the thyroid cartilage has to tilt forward to make room. This creates that sharp, 90-degree angle that pokes through the skin.
In women, the larynx grows too, but much less. The angle stays wider, usually around 120 degrees. It’s a soft curve instead of a sharp point. It’s still there; it’s just tucked away under muscle and tissue.
The visibility gap: Why some women have them too
Honestly, the idea that a visible Adam’s apple is "male-only" is one of those things we just accept without checking.
I’ve seen plenty of women who have a noticeable bump in their neck. Does that mean they have high testosterone? Not necessarily. Sometimes it’s just the way they’re built.
Several factors can make an Adam’s apple pop out in women:
- Genetics: Just like some people have high cheekbones, some people have a naturally larger thyroid cartilage.
- Body Fat Percentage: If you have a very lean, slender neck, there’s less "padding" to hide the cartilage. Even a small larynx will show up.
- Hormonal Variations: Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can increase testosterone, which might lead to a slightly more pronounced larynx and a deeper voice.
- Anatomical Position: Sometimes the larynx just sits a bit higher in the neck, making it more visible.
What does it actually do?
It protects your voice. That’s it.
The Adam’s apple doesn't help you breathe better or swallow faster. Its only job is to act as a helmet for your vocal cords. Interestingly, because men have that larger "box," their vocal cords can be roughly 1.75 cm to 2.5 cm long. Women’s vocal cords are usually shorter, between 1.25 cm and 1.75 cm.
Think of it like a guitar. The longer, thicker strings (men) produce those low, vibrating bass notes. The shorter, thinner strings (women) produce the higher pitches. The Adam's apple is just the structural frame that holds those strings in place.
Surgery and "The Shave"
For some people, the size of their Adam’s apple causes a lot of distress. Maybe it doesn't match their gender identity, or maybe they just think it looks "too masculine" for their face.
There’s a procedure for this called a tracheal shave (or chondrolaryngoplasty).
It’s a surgery where a doctor literally shaves down the protruding part of the thyroid cartilage. It’s usually done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. While it’s common in facial feminization surgery, some cisgender women get it too if they feel their neck profile is too prominent.
But it’s not without risks. If a surgeon shaves off too much, they can weaken the structure that holds the vocal cords. This can lead to a permanent change in voice quality or hoarseness. This is why experts like Dr. Angela Sturm and other facial plastic surgeons emphasize finding someone who knows the exact "safe zone" of the laryngeal notch.
Spotting the difference: A quick reality check
If you’re still confused about the Adam's apple men vs women distinction, look at the angle.
In most men, the bump is a sharp "V" shape. If you touch it while they swallow, you’ll feel it jump up and down. In most women, you might only see a hint of it when they tilt their head back or drink water.
👉 See also: Choking Safely: What Most People Get Wrong About Breath Play
Common Misconceptions
- "Women don't have them." Wrong. They’re just smaller and rounded.
- "It’s a bone." Nope. It’s cartilage—the same stuff in your ears and nose.
- "Having a big one means you're stronger." There is zero link between laryngeal size and physical strength or health.
- "It grows overnight." It takes years of pubertal development to reach its final size.
Actionable insights for your health
While a bump in the neck is usually just anatomy, you should pay attention to it. If you notice a new bump or if your Adam's apple area starts hurting, that’s different.
- Check for changes: If you suddenly see a lump that wasn't there before, it could be a thyroid nodule or a swollen lymph node.
- Voice issues: If your voice stays hoarse for more than two weeks without a cold, get it checked.
- Difficulty swallowing: If the area feels "tight" or painful when you eat, see an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist.
Whether it's prominent or invisible, that little bit of cartilage is doing the heavy lifting of protecting your ability to speak. Next time you see that "bump" in the mirror, remember it's just your body's way of housing your unique voice.
To get a better sense of your own anatomy, try placing your fingers lightly on the center of your throat and humming. You’ll feel the vibration of the vocal cords right behind that cartilage "shield." If you're curious about the specific pitch of your voice or how your laryngeal structure affects your vocal range, you can use a piano or a tuning app to find your "baseline" frequency. Most men sit around 110 Hz, while women usually hover near 200 Hz. Knowing these numbers can be a great starting point if you ever decide to pursue vocal coaching or just want to understand your own biology better.