Adam's apple or, as it is also called, āAdam's appleā, recalls the sexual difference between people. According to legend, the first man on Earth tasted the forbidden paradise fruit, choked, and he was stuck in his throat.
So says the biblical parable, and what do scientific publications say?
Structure
An adder is a protrusion that forms due to the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx. "Adam's apple" forms a tubercle under the skin of an adult man. Do women have Adam's apple? Certainly, but it is less noticeable.
In men, an acute angle (about 90 Ā°) forms at the intersection of the two parts of the cartilaginous tissue, and an open arc (about 120 Ā°) forms in the opposite sex.
Hormones are to blame
Kadik is a secondary sexual attribute among representatives of a strong half of humanity. If male hormones predominate in the female body, a protrusion on the neck may be more noticeable.
Formation
From birth, cartilage is soft. When boy puberty occurs , they become denser. At this time, testosterone (male hormone) begins to be actively produced, secretions and glands of organs and tissues work more actively, Adam's apple is formed. Sometimes it reaches a huge size, which is why many guys develop complexes.
When swallowing, the Adam's apple moves.
Functions
Why do we need Adam's apple? The āAdam's appleā together with the thyroid cartilage protects the larynx and the vocal cords located in it. While eating, cartilage reliably protects the respiratory tract from food ingestion, so that it successfully goes directly to its destination. The throat is one of the most vulnerable places of a person, so his protection is very important.
Another of its functions is related to the timbre of the voice. As you know, in men it is lower than in women, and the merit of the thyroid cartilage is in this. It is not difficult to explain this phenomenon: as a guy grows up, the cartilaginous tissue that is in the throat becomes denser, and the vocal cords are stretched.
Possible problems
Despite the fact that in most cases the thyroid cartilage does not cause discomfort, sometimes it still makes itself felt. When certain diseases appear, the Adam's apple hurts, it sticks out strongly, increasing in size. What ailments lead to these symptoms?
Hypothyroidism
This disease is associated with a malfunction of the thyroid gland. This body begins to produce such an amount of hormones, which are not enough for the normal functioning of the body. In the presence of such an ailment, fatigue, constipation, cold intolerance in the winter period occur. Symptoms do not bypass the throat. An adder grows in size and bulges out more than usual.
Hyperthyroidism
The disease also has a connection with the thyroid gland, however, in this case the opposite is true - the amount of hormones is excessive. The disease is accompanied by diarrhea, increased irritability, excessive sweating.
Cartilage Fracture
Such a problem has a lot of serious consequences and a pronounced sign - Adam's apple is swollen and sore. Symptoms are felt strongly, which is difficult to ignore. In addition, many other unpleasant feelings arise.
Laryngitis
Such a disease is a common cause of problems that are associated with cartilage. The disease is accompanied by inflammatory processes caused by a viral infection. Symptoms - a strong coughing barking character, as well as pain in the Adam's apple. Often there is swelling of the mucous membrane, which is the cause of shortness of breath.
Tuberculosis and laryngeal cancer
These diseases cause pain at the site of union of the thyroid cartilage, which is especially pronounced during swallowing and breathing. When the tumor grows in size, the symptoms become more intense. In this case, hemoptysis, difficulty eating, and a sensation of a coma below the Adam's apple are possible. When the body affects the tubercle bacillus, a sore throat appears, as well as hoarseness in the voice.
Operational Problem Solving Methods
Some men seek to achieve a change in the timbre of the voice through surgery. As a rule, endoscopic surgery is easy, but negative consequences cannot be ruled out one hundred percent. During this procedure, the vocal cords are shortened or thinned, due to which the desired effect is achieved.
Often men who are dissatisfied with their appearance due to the large Adam's apple, resort to operational methods, experiencing psychological discomfort. Surgical intervention is performed to trim the front of the thyroid cartilage. Before starting such a procedure, it is necessary to perform an x-ray examination of the larynx, in particular, the vocal cords, measure the distance to the protrusion. A series of additional examinations will be required. The scar remaining after surgery is usually not visible and does not differ from other areas of the skin.
Interesting Facts
There are several interesting facts that are related to the Adam's apple:
1. A blow to the site of adhesion of the thyroid cartilage is very painful and dangerous, since there are many nerve endings around it. If they are damaged, a person can even lose consciousness for a while, the reaction of the brain is immediate. In addition, trauma can result in trauma, which leads to suffocation. Due to vulnerability, Adam's apple is a favorite place of participants in hand-to-hand combat.
2. Sometimes the āAdam's appleā is regarded as an indicator of a manās sexual capabilities. Some people are of the opinion that the size of the protrusion on the neck is somehow related to the possibilities in bed. However, medicine does not approve of such an opinion, since this fact is not substantiated in science.
3. Today it is possible to carry out an operation to reduce the size of the Adam's apple, which affects the change in voice. Despite claims that it does not pose a particular danger, this procedure is complicated by the features of the structure of the larynx. That is why the protrusion in the neck usually remains, which betrays the transgender.
4. The expression "bosom friend" is known to many. However, few people thought about its meaning. The fact is that the phrase was formed in the form of ālay for Adam's appleā. In this sense, it was a drinking companion, not a best friend, as is now believed.
5. "Adam's apple" is present not only in humans, but also in other mammals. In this case, the thyroid cartilage performs similar functions. For example, in bats it is an important organ with which they manage to make a special sound.
6. Adam's apple is mobile, it is able to move up and down, which is well felt when swallowing, if you put your hand on it. People do not use this opportunity in any way, but animals regulate the timbre of the voice during communication, due to which they understand each other.
Thus, Adam's apple is an important organ not only for humans, but also for animals. For those and others, it performs a protective function, and also signals possible serious diseases. If there are pains, tumors, discomfort at the site of the formation of the angle of the thyroid cartilage, or other similar symptoms, you should consult a doctor in a timely manner. As for the appearance, even if the Adam's apple spoils it, you should not resort to surgical intervention. Any operation is a risk, no matter how easy it may be. If nothing threatens your health, you donāt need to correct what is created by nature itself.