Men have an Adam's apple because it is a visible bump of thyroid cartilage that protrudes more prominently in males due to the growth of the larynx during puberty. The larynx, or voice box, grows larger in males under the influence of testosterone, which causes the thyroid cartilage to protrude outward and form the Adam's apple. Its main function is to protect the vocal cords behind it. The growth of the larynx and the Adam's apple also contributes to the deepening of the male voice during puberty, making the Adam's apple a secondary male sex characteristic.
