Adam's apple: Difference between revisions
ClueBot NG (talk | contribs) m Reverting possible vandalism by 71.122.244.27 to version by P. S. F. Freitas. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (1423556) (Bot) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Adam's apple'''—technically known as the '''laryngeal prominence'''—is a feature of the human [[neck]] |
The '''Adam's apple'''—technically known as the '''laryngeal prominence'''—is a feature of the human [[neck]] and refers to the lump or protrusion that is formed by the angle of the [[thyroid cartilage]] surrounding the [[larynx]]. The term "Adam's Apple" is derived from the "forbidden fruit" in the [[Bible|biblical]] account in the [[Book of Genesis|''Genesis'']] of the lives of [[Adam and Eve]], though the specific type of fruit is not mentioned. The name refers to the fact that the prominence of the lump being generally greater in males than in females - hence, Adam.<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Adam</ref> |
||
==Sex differences== |
==Sex differences== |
||
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2010}} |
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2010}} |
||
The laryngeal prominence is usually more prominent in adult men than in women or prepubescent children. The growth of the larynx itself, and dropping of the |
The laryngeal prominence is usually more prominent in adult men than in women or prepubescent children. The growth of the larynx itself, and dropping of the "voice box" during [[puberty]] is responsible for the [[Voice break|vocal instability]] in teenage boys. The laryngeal prominence is merely the protrusion one sees of the thyroid cartilage making up the body of the larynx. The laryngeal prominence is usually more prominent in adult males because the thyroid cartilage elongates during puberty as the voice box becomes lodged in the throat, protruding out of the front of the neck more noticeably. The result is that the two laminae (thin cartilage) of the thyroid cartilage that form the protrusion meet at an average angle of 90° in males rather than 120° in females, so there is less cartilage to protrude in females. |
||
==Surgery== |
==Surgery== |
||
Revision as of 17:55, 8 January 2013
| Laryngeal prominence | |
|---|---|
 An example of male laryngeal prominence. | |
 Front view of neck. | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | 4th and 6th branchial arch |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | prominentia laryngea |
| TA98 | A06.2.02.003 |
| TA2 | 968 |
| FMA | 55304 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The Adam's apple—technically known as the laryngeal prominence—is a feature of the human neck and refers to the lump or protrusion that is formed by the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx. The term "Adam's Apple" is derived from the "forbidden fruit" in the biblical account in the Genesis of the lives of Adam and Eve, though the specific type of fruit is not mentioned. The name refers to the fact that the prominence of the lump being generally greater in males than in females - hence, Adam.[1]
Sex differences
 |
The laryngeal prominence is usually more prominent in adult men than in women or prepubescent children. The growth of the larynx itself, and dropping of the "voice box" during puberty is responsible for the vocal instability in teenage boys. The laryngeal prominence is merely the protrusion one sees of the thyroid cartilage making up the body of the larynx. The laryngeal prominence is usually more prominent in adult males because the thyroid cartilage elongates during puberty as the voice box becomes lodged in the throat, protruding out of the front of the neck more noticeably. The result is that the two laminae (thin cartilage) of the thyroid cartilage that form the protrusion meet at an average angle of 90° in males rather than 120° in females, so there is less cartilage to protrude in females.
Surgery
Cosmetic surgery to reduce the size of a laryngeal prominence is called chondrolaryngoplasty (thyroid chondroplasty).[2] This surgery may change the patient's voice and can possibly cause permanent damage, and may leave a visible scar. Chondrolaryngoplasty may be performed in many types of gender reassignment surgery.
Additional Images
-
Laryngeal prominence -
Laryngeal prominence -
Laryngeal prominence
References
- ^ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Adam
- ^ Wolfort FG, Dejerine ES, Ramos DJ, Parry RG (1990). "Chondrolaryngoplasty for appearance". Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 86 (3): 464–9, discussion 470. doi:10.1097/00006534-199009000-00012. PMID 2385664.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- lesson11 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)