Kadik for women. Causes of appearance, photo of ultrasound, structure

Kadik is a dense cartilage present in the body of men and women that begins to appear during puberty. In young men, this part of the larynx is more pronounced, and for girls it remains almost invisible throughout life. There are physiological and pathological reasons that contribute to the appearance of an anomalously large Adam's apple.

What is Adam's apple, where is the structure

The kadik is a sharp protrusion on the surface of the larynx that is formed by the upper part of the thyroid cartilage. This formation occurs in all sexually mature men. For women, the appearance of a large Adam's apple is considered not a typical phenomenon, and can also be a symptom of diseases of the endocrine system. This section of the larynx consists of two cartilaginous plates.

In men, the angle of inclination of the components of the Adam's apple is much sharper than in women. For this reason, in males, the thyroid cartilage is more pronounced, and in girls it is almost invisible. In people with normal development of the larynx, the Adam's apple is located at a distance of 2-3 cm from the beginning of the upper part of the neck.

What functions does the Adam's apple perform?

Kadik is not just a cartilaginous formation on the anterior wall of the larynx, but an important structural element of the general system of the body.

This entity performs the following functions:

• takes part in the formation of throat sounds of different tonality;
• participates in the process of swallowing saliva and drinking liquid drinks, water;
• while swallowing food, the Adam's apple rises up, blocking the airways;
• prevents food from entering the trachea, ensuring stable functioning of the digestive and respiratory systems;
• protects the larynx and thyroid tissue from mechanical injury in the event of impacts, falls from great heights (cartilage plates are the first to take external stress, which minimizes the risk of rupture of the larynx, trachea or glandular tissues thyroid gland).

In women, the Adam's apple performs exactly the same physiological functions as in males. The only difference is that in girls the cartilage plates are smoothed, do not protrude above the surface of the skin.

Do women have an Adam's apple

Thyroid cartilage is an integral part of the larynx of all women. In obese girls, the Adam's apple remains invisible even during palpation or throwing the head back. In very thin women, the thyroid cartilage becomes more pronounced, but still not as noticeable as in men.

This feature is explained by the different hormonal background of the female and male body. Under the influence of a large amount of testosterone, the plates of the thyroid cartilage receive more active development, and also become more noticeable to others.

What does the Adam's apple look like in women is normal, how it differs from the male structure

Kadik in women (the reasons for the appearance of cartilage formation are associated with the physiological development of the larynx) consists of 2 exactly the same dense plates as in men, but they are located under a more blunt angle.

Visually

Outwardly, the female Adam's apple remains almost invisible, since its cartilage has a smoothed angle of inclination.

The plates that form this part of the larynx are at a more distant distance from each other. In this regard, the female Adam's apple practically does not protrude above the general level of the larynx.

Ultrasound

In the process of conducting ultrasound diagnostics of the thyroid cartilage, local compaction of tissues is found, which are located on top of the anterior wall of the larynx in the form of 2 valves. A distinctive feature of the female Adam's apple from the male is that in girls the cartilaginous formation is located as close as possible to the larynx. In men, the thyroid cartilage has a sharper angle of inclination, causing tension on the skin.

Normally, a female Adam's apple should not have nodules, signs of an inflammatory process or pathological proliferation of tissues to the sides, as well as deep into the larynx. Such symptoms indicate the possible presence of hidden diseases of the body.

Why does the Adam's apple increase in women

Kadik in women (the reasons for the appearance of large thyroid cartilage in women are associated with hormonal imbalance) acquires a denser structure during puberty. In girls between the ages of 13 and 17, the front wall of the larynx becomes harder. During this period, the active formation of the female Adam's apple begins. The presence of an abnormally large male-type thyroid cartilage indicates the first signs of a developing disease.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a pathological condition of the tissues of the thyroid gland, which occurs due to the progressive hyperfunction of this organ. The development of this disease causes excessive synthesis of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

A woman's thyroid gland produces too much of these hormones, which activate metabolic processes in the body, cause dysfunction of the heart, central nervous system, lead to infertility. An increase in the Adam's apple with hyperthyroidism is explained by the pathological proliferation of thyroid tissue.

Under the influence of this disease, nodal joints are formed in the structure of the endocrine organ, and toxic goiter begins to form. This neoplasm compresses the larynx, pushing its front part closer to the skin of the neck.

As the disease progresses, the visual visibility of the thyroid cartilage increases. In this case, in fact, the size of the female Adam's apple does not increase. Removal of toxic goiter, which can be benign or oncological in nature, allows you to restore a smooth surface of the front of the neck without signs of elevations or bulges.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by a decrease in the functions of this organ in terms of the synthesis of hormones of the thyroid group. For a long period of time, the female body experiences a persistent deficiency of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Hypothyroidism contributes to the formation of a large Adam's apple in women if the disease is caused by an extraneous neoplasm. In this case, the elevation of the cartilage plates above the general level of the larynx appears in direct proportion to the rate of tumor growth.

In almost all women with a large male Adam's apple, the growth of which is caused by hypothyroidism, the following additional signs of a pathological state of the body are present:

• swelling of the joints of the upper and lower extremities;
• drowsiness;
• muscle weakness;
• increased tendency to frequent constipation;
• dysfunction in the work of the ovaries;
• lack of appetite;
• fast set of excess body weight;
• yellowness of the whites of the eyes and skin;
• hoarseness of voice;
• persistent nasal congestion caused by swelling of the mucous membrane;
• intolerance to low temperatures;
• memory impairment;
• decreased cognitive functions of the brain.

A voluminous Adam's apple, provoked by hypothyroidism, is dangerous with a large number of negative consequences for the female body. There is a high likelihood of infertility due to ovarian dysfunction. In especially severe cases, the onset of myxedema coma occurs.

Thyroiditis

Kadik in women (the reasons for the appearance of a large thyroid cartilage are associated with hormonal changes in female body) becomes abnormally large in the presence of acute or chronic diseases thyroid glands. The presence of thyroiditis is one of the pathological factors that negatively affect the anterior wall of the larynx.

The development of this disease is accompanied by inflammation of the entire or individual areas of the thyroid gland. There are acute, subacute, chronic, autoimmune and postpartum thyroiditis.

As the inflammatory process aggravates, edema of the thyroid gland tissues occurs, which leads to an increase in its physiological parameters. The hypertrophied organ puts pressure on the walls of the larynx, squeezing the thyroid cartilage under the upper layers of the skin. The result of progressive thyroiditis in women is a voluminous Adam's apple, which can only be observed in men.

Restoration of the normal state of the anterior wall of the larynx is possible only after removing the swelling and inflammation of the thyroid tissue. Thyroiditis in women is caused by infectious microorganisms, pathologies of the immune system, imbalance of sex hormones.

Oncology

Extraneous neoplasms of a malignant nature of origin are another reason for the appearance of a large Adam's apple in women of different age groups. The increase in the thyroid cartilage occurs in direct proportion to the growth of the tumor.

Similar symptoms are observed in women with the following types of cancer:

• thyroid cancer;
• throat malignant tumor;
• tracheal cancer;
• tumor neoplasm of the esophagus.

The presence of a large Adam's apple, the bulging of which is caused by a nearby tumor, indicates an advanced stage of cancer. In this case, the extraneous neoplasm has reached a significant size, and to remove it, a surgical operation will be required.

Phlegmon

Phlegmon is an inflammatory lesion of the subcutaneous tissue, which is accompanied by local tissue suppuration. This pathology has an infectious nature of origin, and its causative agents are strains of Staphylococcus aureus and putrefactive microorganisms of other species.

Phlegmon can cause an increase in the volume of the Adam's apple in women if the purulent-inflammatory process is localized in the subcutaneous tissue in the front of the neck. Edema of epithelial tissues spreads to the cartilaginous plates of the Adam's apple, which causes an increase in its physiological size.

The growth of the Adam's apple in women caused by phlegmon is manifested by the following additional symptoms:

• an increase in local and general body temperature, which reaches 38-39 degrees Celsius;
• pain in the front of the neck;
• discomfort when swallowing saliva, liquids, or food;
• hyperemia of the skin, which is located above the thyroid cartilage.

The main danger of phlegmon is that this pathology can not only increase the size of the female Adam's apple, but also cause extensive inflammation of neighboring tissues and internal organs. Septic blood poisoning with a further fatal outcome is not excluded.

Tuberculosis

Kadik in women (the reasons for the appearance of an abnormally large thyroid cartilage are in the infectious infection of tissues) rapidly increases in size if a bacterial invasion of the larynx occurs. The tuberculosis bacillus provokes local inflammation of this part of the throat, which is accompanied by severe edema of the epithelial tissues.

The pathogenic activity of mycobacteria causes a visual increase in the size of the Adam's apple, which is squeezed out closer to the subcutaneous tissue of the neck. Laryngeal tuberculosis is the result of an infection of the throat when bacterial microorganisms enter its tissues along with the blood stream or through the lymphatic channels.

Too large Adam's apple in women, which appeared due to tuberculosis of the larynx, is easy to recognize by the following concomitant signs of deterioration in health:

• hoarseness of voice;
• painful swallowing, or partial loss of this function of the larynx;
• the ingress of liquid or food into the trachea, bronchial tree (the appearance of this symptom is caused by a violation of the mobility of the plates of the thyroid cartilage);
• excruciating dry cough without sputum;
• upper respiratory tract spasms.

In the absence of timely treatment, trophic ulcers appear at the site of the formation of a large Adam's apple, acute inflammation develops with the further formation of fistulous passages. Laryngeal tuberculosis is dangerous with the risk of spreading the infection to the respiratory, lymphatic and digestive systems.

Diagnostics

The table below describes the main diagnostic methods that are used to determine the causes of an increase in the Adam's apple in women.

Survey method	Purpose and cost of diagnostics
CT scan of the larynx	It is carried out to determine tumor neoplasms, to check the anatomically correct location of the thyroid cartilage in relation to the larynx. The average cost of this diagnostic is 3040 rubles.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland	It is prescribed for the hardware study of the general condition of the thyroid gland tissues for nodules, tumors, hypertrophic changes. The price of ultrasound diagnostics of the thyroid gland is 1800 rubles.
X-ray of the cervical spine	The purpose of this examination is to detect benign and oncological tumors, structural changes in the larynx and thyroid cartilage of the patient. The average cost of X-ray is 1400 rubles.
Laryngoscopy	This type of diagnosis is performed by an otolaryngologist for a visual examination of the larynx cavity. The price for laryngoscopy in a private clinic is 200 rubles.

Women with a large male Adam's apple must donate venous blood for laboratory determination of the level of sex hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine of the thyroid gland. The blood is checked for infection of the body with the causative agent of tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus and other especially dangerous infections.

Treatment activities

Therapy of an abnormally large Adam's apple in women is prescribed by a doctor based on the results of a comprehensive examination of the patient. Perhaps the use of drugs, the appointment of a special diet, a radical change in the usual way of life.

Drug treatment

The means of drug therapy are selected individually for each patient, depending on the diseases detected.

To restore the physiologically correct size of the Adam's apple in women, the following types of drugs are used:

• antibiotics to suppress pathogenic microflora in cases where an increase in thyroid cartilage is a consequence of an infectious and inflammatory lesion of the larynx and subcutaneous tissue;
• anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs for relieving pain, reducing swelling and inflammation of epithelial tissues;
• chemotherapy drugs and cytostatic solutions (prescribed for women who have been diagnosed with malignant tumors in the larynx or in the tissues of the thyroid gland);
• means of hormonal therapy, if the reason for the increase in the size of the Adam's apple is associated with diseases of the organs of the endocrine system.

The selection of drugs with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties is possible only based on the results of hardware and laboratory examination of the patient. The prescription of antibiotics is carried out only on the basis of data on the sensitivity of the detected infection to the constituent substances of these medicines. Drug therapy is carried out in continuous courses, the duration of which is from 10 days to 6-12 months. depending on the severity of the disease.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle correction is a prerequisite for achieving a positive result in drug therapy.

In this case, the following recommendations must be observed:

• give up the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco smoking;
• control body weight, preventing morbid obesity, as well as excessive thinness;
• provide the body with adequate rest and moderate physical activity;
• not to engage in contact sports, martial arts, which can lead to injury to the thyroid cartilage;
• in the cold season, always wear a scarf or jacket with a high collar around your neck;
• at least once every 12 months. undergo a preventive examination by a general practitioner and endocrinologist;
• eliminate stressful situations and psycho-emotional overstrain.

Lifestyle change is an auxiliary method that is used in conjunction with taking medications. Compliance with the above recommendations will help maintain the health of the female body, and also speed up the process of restoring the normal size of the Adam's apple.

Food

Reducing the size of a large Adam's apple in women requires the use of drug therapy, lifestyle correction, and the organization of proper nutrition.

In case of inflammatory diseases of the larynx, pathological conditions of the thyroid gland, it is necessary to include the following foods in the daily diet:

• red fish containing an increased concentration of omega-3 fatty acids;
• seaweed;
• crab meat;
• bananas;
• broccoli;
• apples;
• White cabbage;
• carrot;
• apricots;
• persimmon;
• spinach;
• mackerel;
• mussels;
• cranberry;
• capelin;
• walnuts;
• prunes;
• saury.

The following types of food and drinks are completely excluded from a woman's diet:

• fat meat;
• Black tea;
• lemonade;
• margarine;
• sausages and canned meat;
• sugar;
• coffee;
• cream;
• cocoa;
• butter;
• confectionery;
• sour cream.

The organization of meals should be carried out in such a way that a woman eats food 5-6 times a day, but in fractional portions. You can not overeat, and also eat later than 2 hours before going to bed.

Is it possible to reduce the Adam's apple in women

Reducing an oversized Adam's apple in women is possible with the help of chondrolaryngoplasty. This is a type of surgery in which the cartilaginous part of the larynx is modified. The doctor removes part of the Adam's apple, making it visually invisible. This operation is performed under general anesthesia in an inpatient surgery department. The danger of this method of treatment is that there is a risk of side effects such as loss of voice or changes in its timbre.

The kadik in women consists of two cartilaginous plates, which have a much smaller angle of inclination than in men. This part of the larynx is responsible for the swallowing function, prevents the ingress of food and drinks into the tracheal cavity. Normally, the Adam's apple in women should remain invisible to others.

The change in the shape and size of the thyroid cartilage in the direction of increase indicates the possible presence of pathological reasons for its growth. The appearance of an abnormally large Adam's apple in girls is characteristic of inflammatory diseases of the larynx, deficiency or excess of thyroid hormones, the formation of tumors, and toxic goiter. Treatment of this pathology requires the use of drugs based on hormonal substances, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Video about the Adam's apple in women

Do women have an Adam's apple: