What Is an Adam's Apple, and Is It True That Women Have One Too? (6 photos)
It is a common belief that the Adam's apple belongs exclusively to men. However, medical experts know this is a misconception—women have them, too. The difference is that while an Adam's apple is prominent in men, it remains virtually invisible in women due to anatomical differences between the sexes. 
Anatomically, the Adam's apple consists of two fused plates of cartilage that shield the vocal cords, thyroid gland, and larynx. While this rigid structure protects a highly vulnerable spot on the front of the neck, it also plays another vital role. 
The Adam's apple helps regulate pitch, making it easier for us to produce high and low frequencies. And by "us," that includes women—their Adam's apples serve the exact same purpose, even if they are rarely visible. 
In young children, the cartilage remains soft, meaning there is no visible difference between boys and girls in elementary school. Everything changes during puberty, when the Adam's apple develops—a shift that can happen anywhere between the ages of 13 and 18. 
As the cartilage hardens over time, the physical differences become clearer. Because men have longer vocal cords, their cartilage plates are larger and meet at a sharp, acute angle. This creates a prominent bump and contributes to a deeper voice. 
In women—as in young children—the cartilage joins at a wider, obtuse angle, keeping it flat. Furthermore, women naturally have a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat on the neck, which conceals the tissue. An Adam's apple isn't essential for survival, and some men even opt for surgical reduction. The procedure carries no serious risks and only rarely causes a change in voice. 
By the way, the name "Adam's apple" stems from the ancient belief that the bump was unique to men. Legend has it that when Eve offered Adam the forbidden fruit, a piece got lodged in his throat, creating the signature bulge.
