Kingkellz
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Effect of Sex Hormones and Thyroid Hormones on Male Voice
What is the Adam's Apple?
The Adam's apple or laryngeal prominence, is the lump or protrusion in the human neck formed by the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx seen especially in males.
Is the size of the Adam's apple related to voice pitch?
It is not directly related but there maybe a correlation. The size of a man's Adam's apple is determined by the anatomical configuration of his larynx.
The larynx is composed of 3 large & unpaired cartilages: cricoid, thyroid, and epiglottis and 3 smaller cartilages paired: arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform.
The anatomical portion responsible for our Adam’s apple is pointed by the red arrow. It's called the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage.
As almost any anatomical shape, its size and proportions are determined by genetic factors. That is the reason why men with prominent Adam’s apples will probably have descendants with the same characteristic.
However, its size is not directly related to the pitch of the voice.
The pitch of the voice is believed to be related to the length and thickness of the vocal chords.
A man can have a big laryngeal prominence and not-so-long vocal chords, or vice versa.
Nevertheless, some argue that there is some correlation between the overall size of the larynx and the size of each part of it. With that in mind, it might not be uncommon to see patients with both big prominences and vocal chords.
There are several factors, but it’s definitely important. The size of one’s Adam’s apple indicates the size of their larynx, and consequently the length of their vocal cords - the longer the cord, the lower range of pitches it will naturally produce.
If you notice, women generally have less prominent Adam’s apples, due to smaller larynxes; thus, their voices produce higher pitches. Men’s are more prominent, due to larger larynxes; thus, their voices produce lower pitches.
There are, of course other factors that will determine the quality of a voice; body type, size of resonators, etc.
Sex Differences of the Thyroid Cartilage
Testosterone stimulates laryngeal growth
www.mitchmedical.us
Male vs Female Thyroid Cartilage
Female vs Male Thyroid Angle
How to get a more prominent Adam's apple?
Tracheal augmentation aka Thyroid Cartilage enhancement: The augmentation procedure begins by creating a natural implant made from cartilage taken from the rib cage which is then shaped to augment the existing Adam’s apple. After that an incision is made in the throat, under the chin. The vertical muscles of the throat are then separated to expose the existing Adam’s apple. The new implant is then attached to the appropriate position to increase its size and make it project further out from the throat.
Before and Afters:
@john2 @Chintuck22 @the next o'pry @MoeZart @Grimba @reptiles @SubhumanCurrycel @Ocelot @kjsbdfiusdf @pizza @tyronelite @Lmao @PrestonYnot @far336 @TRNA
In males, increased levels of testosterone and DHT during puberty are responsible for the increase in size of the laryngeal cartilages. This increase is accompanied by increased bulk of the laryngeal muscles and ligaments, leading to a drop of about one octave in the pitch of the voice. As the larynx changes in the growing male, the voice breaks occasionally as an adjustment reaction to the changing background.
Androgens deepen the voice and cause irreversible changes.
Although androgens have been shown to increase libido, their use is relatively contraindicated due to the permanent masculinizing effects on the female voice.
What about females?
Thyroid hormones are also known to cause voice disturbances. Thyroid hormones serve to increase the rate of metabolic functions in the body.
When patients have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), hoarseness and loss of range are common complaints. The mechanism is not known for certain, but it is believed to be related to increased levels of polysaccharides in the vocal folds, leading to increased fluid retention and vocal fold thickening. This thickening is similar to the mechanism by which sex hormones act on the female vocal folds. The vocal fold thickening causes a decreased vibratory capacity and hence a lower frequency production and a sensation of insufficiency. Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid function) also can cause hoarseness, usually when it is severe.
The effect of pituitary gland hormones on voice also has been studied. The pituitary gland is involved in the release of growth hormone (GH), prolactin, vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and oxytocin.
Men typically do not have changes in pitch, but they may complain of a decrease in intensity and range. Decreased levels of FSH and testosterone also may make the male voice less powerful.
Some patients may have increased growth hormone release (GH), causing the syndrome of acromegaly. Excess GH causes thickening of the laryngeal cartilages, as well as the thickening of the vocal folds themselves, leading to a drop in voice frequency.
Here is a good example of this
Also, people with excess GH who go on to develop acromegaly may be prone to arytenoid cartilage dislocation. It is clear that the human voice is susceptible to hormonal changes, daily and throughout life. From puberty to senescence, the vocal apparatus is undergoing numerous changes, some of which are quite different in males and females.
Androgens deepen the voice and cause irreversible changes.
Although androgens have been shown to increase libido, their use is relatively contraindicated due to the permanent masculinizing effects on the female voice.
What about females?
The most drastic changes in the female voice occur during menopause, when the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall. In the period immediately after the start of menopause, the level of FSH and LH is very high, continuing to cause ovarian androgen production. Usually, these ovarian steroids are converted to estrogen, especially in women with more peripheral fat stores. Women have excessive peripheral fat prior to menopause, allowing more conversion of androgens to estrogen, preserving the effects of estrogen on the body. Some women however, have less ability to do so and have relatively higher levels of androgen as a result.
Thyroid hormones are also known to cause voice disturbances. Thyroid hormones serve to increase the rate of metabolic functions in the body.
When patients have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), hoarseness and loss of range are common complaints. The mechanism is not known for certain, but it is believed to be related to increased levels of polysaccharides in the vocal folds, leading to increased fluid retention and vocal fold thickening. This thickening is similar to the mechanism by which sex hormones act on the female vocal folds. The vocal fold thickening causes a decreased vibratory capacity and hence a lower frequency production and a sensation of insufficiency. Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid function) also can cause hoarseness, usually when it is severe.
The effect of pituitary gland hormones on voice also has been studied. The pituitary gland is involved in the release of growth hormone (GH), prolactin, vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and oxytocin.
Men typically do not have changes in pitch, but they may complain of a decrease in intensity and range. Decreased levels of FSH and testosterone also may make the male voice less powerful.
Some patients may have increased growth hormone release (GH), causing the syndrome of acromegaly. Excess GH causes thickening of the laryngeal cartilages, as well as the thickening of the vocal folds themselves, leading to a drop in voice frequency.
Here is a good example of this
Also, people with excess GH who go on to develop acromegaly may be prone to arytenoid cartilage dislocation. It is clear that the human voice is susceptible to hormonal changes, daily and throughout life. From puberty to senescence, the vocal apparatus is undergoing numerous changes, some of which are quite different in males and females.
What is the Adam's Apple?
The Adam's apple or laryngeal prominence, is the lump or protrusion in the human neck formed by the angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx seen especially in males.
Is the size of the Adam's apple related to voice pitch?
It is not directly related but there maybe a correlation. The size of a man's Adam's apple is determined by the anatomical configuration of his larynx.
The larynx is composed of 3 large & unpaired cartilages: cricoid, thyroid, and epiglottis and 3 smaller cartilages paired: arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform.
The anatomical portion responsible for our Adam’s apple is pointed by the red arrow. It's called the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage.
As almost any anatomical shape, its size and proportions are determined by genetic factors. That is the reason why men with prominent Adam’s apples will probably have descendants with the same characteristic.
However, its size is not directly related to the pitch of the voice.
The pitch of the voice is believed to be related to the length and thickness of the vocal chords.
A man can have a big laryngeal prominence and not-so-long vocal chords, or vice versa.
Nevertheless, some argue that there is some correlation between the overall size of the larynx and the size of each part of it. With that in mind, it might not be uncommon to see patients with both big prominences and vocal chords.
There are several factors, but it’s definitely important. The size of one’s Adam’s apple indicates the size of their larynx, and consequently the length of their vocal cords - the longer the cord, the lower range of pitches it will naturally produce.
If you notice, women generally have less prominent Adam’s apples, due to smaller larynxes; thus, their voices produce higher pitches. Men’s are more prominent, due to larger larynxes; thus, their voices produce lower pitches.
There are, of course other factors that will determine the quality of a voice; body type, size of resonators, etc.
Sex Differences of the Thyroid Cartilage
Testosterone stimulates laryngeal growth
Adams Apple - Sexual Selection - Mitch Medical
'It is interesting to conjecture as to the appearance and mode of life of the ancestors of present day Man, and in such a study much assistance may be derived
www.mitchmedical.us
Male vs Female Thyroid Cartilage
Female vs Male Thyroid Angle
How to get a more prominent Adam's apple?
Tracheal augmentation aka Thyroid Cartilage enhancement: The augmentation procedure begins by creating a natural implant made from cartilage taken from the rib cage which is then shaped to augment the existing Adam’s apple. After that an incision is made in the throat, under the chin. The vertical muscles of the throat are then separated to expose the existing Adam’s apple. The new implant is then attached to the appropriate position to increase its size and make it project further out from the throat.
Before and Afters:
@john2 @Chintuck22 @the next o'pry @MoeZart @Grimba @reptiles @SubhumanCurrycel @Ocelot @kjsbdfiusdf @pizza @tyronelite @Lmao @PrestonYnot @far336 @TRNA
