Your Adam's Apple — What It Is, What It Does, and Who Has One

The Adam's apple is the visible ridge of thyroid cartilage at the front of your larynx (voice box). Everyone has one, though its size and visibility vary by sex, hormones, body fat, and genetics The Adam's apple isn't bone or muscle — it's made of firm yet flexible hyaline cartilage, which helps shield the vocal cords and anchor muscles that control pitch and tone During puberty, testosterone enlarges the larynx in many males, making the Adam's apple more prominent and lowering the pitch of the voice. Females also experience laryngeal growth, but usually to a lesser degree Its role goes beyond voice: the Adam's apple helps protect the airway during swallowing by lifting the larynx so food and liquid go into the esophagus rather than the lungs Pain or soreness in this area is rarely due to the cartilage itself but can stem from nearby structures. Common causes include muscle or throat tension, infections, thyroid disorders, acid reflux, or — in rare cases — laryngeal cancer