Why shouldn’t you touch a boy’s Adam’s apple?

You’ve probably already noticed it in some men: this small bump visible on the neck, just in front of the larynx. But where does its name come from? Why is it more pronounced in men than in women? And above all, can it be a source of health problems? Let’s dive together into the mysteries of the Adam’s apple.
The Adam’s apple does not come from the Bible

You might think its name comes directly from the story of Adam and Eve and that it is a trace left by the forbidden fruit. But in reality, its origin is quite different!

In the Middle Ages, Arab physicians compared this neck prominence to a pomegranate, a fruit whose seeds resemble the small nodules of thyroid cartilage. Latin, the learned language of the time, used similar words to designate “apple” and “pomegranate,” which is thought to have led to the French name “Adam’s apple.” A simple linguistic confusion, not a divine mark!

Why shouldn’t you touch someone’s Adam’s apple?
If you’ve ever placed your hand on someone’s Adam’s apple, you may have noticed a recoil. And for good reason! This area is particularly sensitive.

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