Adam's apple – bump of cartilage in the front of the neck

(Pronounced a-dums a-pul)

To remember the meaning of Adam's apple, use the following mnemonic:

Adam ate the apple (Adam's apple) but it got stuck, leaving a bump in the front of his throat.

The Adam's apple is a prominent projection in the front of the neck formed by thyroid cartilage, which is the largest cartilage structure of the larynx (voice box). This cartilage forms a V-shaped structure which protects the vocal cords and other delicate tissues within the larynx from external damage.  

The Adam's apple is typically more pronounced in males than females due to hormonal changes during puberty, particularly the influence of testosterone, which causes the larynx to grow larger and the vocal cords to lengthen and thicken. While both males and females have thyroid cartilage, it tends to meet at a sharper angle in males, creating the characteristic bulge, whereas in females the angle is typically more obtuse and less visible. The Adam's apple moves up and down during swallowing and speaking as the larynx adjusts position, and it serves as an important anatomical landmark in the neck region for medical examinations and procedures.