Adam's Apple

What is an Adam’s apple?

An Adam’s apple is the bump or protrusion on the front of many people’s throats. It’s the cartilage that covers the front of your larynx (voice box). Everyone has this cartilage, but it’s not always visible.

The medical term for Adam’s apple is “laryngeal prominence.”

Why is it called Adam’s apple?

The term “Adam’s apple” likely comes from the Judeo-Christian tradition. According to the story of Adam and Eve, an apple got stuck in Adam’s throat after he ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

Who has an Adam’s apple?

People assigned female at birth (AFAB) have cartilage that covers their voice box, just as people assigned male at birth (AMAB) do. But during puberty, people AMAB usually have more growth in this area compared to people AFAB.

In short, some people have an Adam’s apple and some don’t. Having or not having an Adam’s apple has no bearing on your health. But some people may choose to pursue cosmetic surgery to make their Adam’s apple smaller or larger, depending on their personal preferences (for example, gender-affirming surgeries).

What does the Adam’s apple do?

The purpose of the Adam’s apple is to protect your voice box from injury. Apart from that, an Adam’s apple has no known function.

Many researchers believe that a larger Adam’s apple plays a role in voice deepening and maturation. But no concrete evidence yet exists.

Where is the Adam’s apple located?

Your Adam’s apple is at the front of your throat. (Some people have an Adam’s apple, and some don’t.) The visible lump you see consists of cartilage that wraps around your larynx.

Even if you can’t see a bump over your larynx, sometimes you can feel it. Try touching the front of your throat while you hum. When you find the area where the vibrations are the strongest, you’ve found your larynx.

What’s an Adam’s apple made of?

Your Adam’s apple consists of thyroid cartilage — the largest of nine cartilages in your larynx. Other parts of your voice box and trachea (windpipe) consist of other types of cartilage, including cricoid cartilage, epiglottic cartilage and arytenoid cartilage.

What does an Adam’s apple look like?

From the outside, your Adam’s apple looks like a small, round bump on the front of your throat. Inside your body, the thyroid cartilage that surrounds your Adam’s apple contains two cartilage plates. These two plates join at the front of your throat, forming a V-shaped notch.

The size of an Adam’s apple varies from person to person. Often, people AMAB have larger Adam’s apples than people AFAB. But this isn’t always the case.

Are there conditions or disorders that affect the Adam’s apple?

It’s possible to develop pain in your Adam’s apple. This can result from:

• Sore throat (pharyngitis).
• Common cold.
• Acute thyroiditis.
• Inflammation of your esophagus (esophagitis).
• Candida esophagitis (thrush in your esophagus).

There are also conditions that may cause swelling in your larynx. This can result in an Adam’s apple that’s bigger than usual. Conditions that can affect your larynx in this way include:

• Laryngitis (inflammation of your voice box).
• Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
• Sore throat.
• Thyroid cancer.
• Laryngeal cancer.

What are common signs and symptoms of conditions affecting the Adam’s apple?

A large Adam’s apple doesn’t mean you have a medical condition. But if you notice that your Adam’s apple is sore or swollen, it could indicate an underlying issue. Signs to watch for may include:

• Sore throat.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Coughing.
• Wheezing.
• Fatigue.
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).

If you develop symptoms — especially ones that don’t go away — schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. They can find out what’s causing your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

Why would someone need surgery on their Adam’s apple?

Some people choose surgery because they want to change the size or shape of their Adam’s apple. Surgeons perform these procedures by adding or removing cartilage in the area. Many people undergo this Adam’s apple surgery as part of their gender-affirming treatment. (For example, someone may choose this procedure if they feel that their Adam’s apple — or lack of one — doesn’t match their gender identity or body type.)

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Everyone has cartilage that protects their larynx. When this lump of cartilage is visible on the outside of the throat, it’s an Adam’s apple. An Adam’s apple has no impact on your health. It’s simply a cosmetic feature that some people may choose to change through surgery.