Medical Specialties (Part 2)

[ Dermat/o/logy = Dermat/o is a combining form that pertains to "skin" , and -logy is a suffix term that indicates "specialty".] Dermatology pertains to the study of skin. It includes both medical and surgical aspects. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, as well as cosmetic problems.

[ Orth(o)/ped/ics = Ortho- is a prefix term that means "straight" or "correct" and ped is a word root that pertains to "child" or "foot", -ics is a suffix term that signifies "specialty".] In orthopedics or orthopedic surgery, the musculoskeletal system is the focus of concern. Orthopedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine disorders, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders with both surgical and nonsurgical means.

[ Neur/o/logy = Neur/o is a combining form that pertains to "nervous system" or "nerve" , and -logy is a suffix term that indicates "specialty".] An area of medicine devoted to disorders of the nervous system is neurology. It deals with all conditions and diseases of the nervous system, including its covering, blood vessels, and any effector tissue, such as muscles.

[ Ur/o/logy = Ur/o is a combining form that pertains to "urine" or "urinary tract" , and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] In urology, also known as genito-urinary surgery, the focus is on surgical and medical diseases of the urinary tract and male reproduction organs in both men and women.

The field of reproductive medicine focuses on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility, and other reproductive issues.

[ Gynec/o/logy = Gynec/o is a combining form that pertains to "woman", and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] The field of gynecology is concerned with the health of the female reproductive system (vagina, uterus, and ovaries). Most modern gynecologists are also obstetricians. There are many areas of overlap between gynecology and obstetrics.

[ Endocrin/o/logy = Endocrin/o is a combining form that pertains to "endocrine glands or system", and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] In biology and medicine, endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system, its diseases, and the hormones that it secretes.

[ Ophthalm/o/logy = Ophthalm/o is a combining form that pertains to "eye", and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] Ophthalmology is an area of medicine and surgery concerned with diagnosing and treating eye disorders. A specialist in ophthalmology is an ophthalmologist.

[ Ot/o/laryng/o/logy = Ot/o is a combining form that refers to "ear" and laryng/o is a combining form that relates to "larynx", and -logy is a suffix term that pertains to "specialty".] The study of otolaryngology involves diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists are doctors who specialize in this field.

[ Dent/i/stry = Dent/i is a combining form that refers to "tooth" and -(s)try is a suffix term that pertains to "specialty".] The field of dentistry, also known as dental medicine or oral medicine, consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity.

[ Dietet/ics = Dietet is a word root that refers to "diet" or "food" and -ics is a suffix term that pertains to "specialty".] Dietetics studies diet and nutrition in relation to health and disease. The term dietitian (or dietician) describes someone who specializes in dietetics.

[ Pharmac/o/logy = Pharmac/o is a combining form that pertains to "drug", and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] Pharmacology is a field of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences that studies the effects of drugs and medications.

[ Neo/nat/o/logy = Neo- is a prefix term that refers to "new", nat/o is a combining form that means "birth" and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that deals with the medical care of newborn infants, especially those who are premature or ill.

[ Andr/o/logy = Andr/o is a combining form that pertains to "male", and -logy is a suffix term that refers to "specialty".] Andrology deals with issues specific to men, particularly problems with their reproductive system and urological disorders.