The protruding Adam's apple is a male secondary sex characteristic that begins to form from 11-14 years old. However, women's necks for some reason avoid this fate. Do women really have an Adam's apple? What function does it perform in the male body and how is the expression "bosom friend" related to it? Tell Novate.ru.
What is an Adam's apple and why is it needed?
Kadik or Adam's apple is the protrusion of the larynx on the front of the neck, mainly in men. It consists of two plates of thyroid cartilage (similar to those found in the ears or nose). The kadik protects the vocal cords, which allow you to shout loudly, whisper softly, sing, laugh, and adjust the tone of your voice. The presence of the Adam's apple does not mean that these functions cannot be performed without it. It's just that someone has a bigger larynx, and someone has a smaller one.
Anatomically speaking, the Adam's apple is the result of the development of the male larynx. During puberty, testosterone levels rise. Together with it, the ligaments lengthen and become more massive, and the voice "breaks" and goes into a low timbre. For external protection of the ligaments, cartilage is formed under the skin - an Adam's apple.
Do women have an Adam's apple?
In women, a similar process occurs, only less intense, and the voice is higher and thinner. The ligaments remain much shorter, so they form an obtuse angle between the thyroid plates. Plus, women have a slightly thicker layer of fat under the skin, hiding the presence of an Adam's apple. That is, the girls still have an Adam's apple, it just does not perform so strongly. In rare cases, there is a distinct protrusion. It can be a congenital abnormality, hormonal imbalance, genetic trait, and sometimes a hidden tumor. So you definitely need to be examined.
Why did the Adam's apple become an Adam's apple?
The Adam's apple got this name thanks to the biblical events in the Garden of Eden. When Adam could not resist the temptation of the Tempting Serpent and tasted the forbidden fruit, a piece of it got stuck in his throat. After that, his descendants Adam in the male line began to have an Adam's apple as a reminder of the sin in the Garden of Eden.
How is a bosom friend connected to the Adam's apple?
Today, when we say "bosom friend", we immediately imagine the best friend, with whom we went through fire and water. However, in the Middle Ages, the meaning of the expression was sharply different. Phraseologism originated from the phrase "pour over the Adam's apple", that is, "get drunk", "drink alcohol". In those days, people who drank alcohol together were considered bosom friends.
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