idk who needs to hear this but I keep seeing people comment that someone is trans/looks trans 💀 because they have an Adam's apple. So in the spirit of education, this is a PSA:
The Adam’s apple, technically called the laryngeal prominence, is a protrusion of cartilage in the throat that surrounds and protects the larynx (or voice box). Its primary function is to protect the vocal cords, which are essential for speaking and breathing. The prominence of the Adam's apple also affects voice depth and pitch to some extent.
Both men and women have an Adam’s apple, but it is typically more prominent in men due to the effects of testosterone during puberty. This hormone stimulates the growth and thickening of the larynx, resulting in a deeper voice and a larger, more visible Adam's apple in men. In women, the growth is generally less pronounced, making the laryngeal prominence smaller or less noticeable.
Other conditions or anatomical features in the neck area can resemble an Adam’s apple. For example:
Swollen Thyroid Gland (Goiter): The thyroid gland, located just below the Adam's apple, can enlarge and resemble or even obscure the laryngeal prominence if it becomes swollen or develops nodules.
Lymph Node Swelling: Enlarged lymph nodes due to infections or other conditions can also cause noticeable lumps in the neck that may appear near the Adam’s apple area.
Cysts or Growths: Thyroglossal duct cysts, benign growths, or other anatomical anomalies can present as lumps near the laryngeal prominence.
TLDR; Comments like the above reflect a common misconception that the Adam's apple is exclusive to men or that it's a definitive marker of someone's sex/gender. The truth is that everyone has an Adam’s apple; it’s just often more prominent in men due to how testosterone affects the larynx during puberty. For some women, especially those with a naturally larger or thicker larynx, it can also be visible, and some men have less prominent Adam’s apples as well.
Unfortunately, this idea that a visible Adam’s apple signals something about gender identity is rooted in oversimplified, outdated stereotypes. It’s best to remember that bodies naturally vary, and visible anatomical features don't define someone's gender identity or journey.
