What is an Adam’s Apple?

Inside the Body

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Why do older boys’ voices crack?

by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

Have you ever noticed that it looks like lots of older men have a big lump in their throats which younger boys, girls, and women don't have? - It's that big bump that lots of people refer to as an "Adam's Apple"!

Even though it looks like only older men have Adam's Apples, the truth is that we all have them, they're just usually easier to see in men than in boys, girls, or women. The reason for this has to do with how men usually have deeper voices.

When boys start to go through puberty, their voices usually get deeper due to the vocal cords growing longer. As the vocal cords grow longer, the larynx, which protects the vocal cords, grows too, and it’s this large larynx that you see as the Adam’s Apple. – Because younger boys, girls, and women don’t usually have such deep voices, the vocal cords and the larynx are usually not as large and are therefore less visible.

Hum, Hum, Hum

Even if you aren’t able to see you Adam’s Apple, you might be able to feel gently up and down your throat and pick out the slight bump where it is.

Once you’ve located the approximate place, hum a few notes while holding your fingers over the bump. Can you feel your vocal cords vibrating?? – Neat!!