This list covers 17 medical specialties, running alphabetically from “Maternal-Fetal Medicine” to “Musculoskeletal Medicine.” These fields range from surgical disciplines that repair tiny blood vessels to diagnostic specialties that study diseases at the molecular level. Doctors in these areas treat everything from high-risk pregnancies to cancer, poisoning, and joint pain, giving patients access to focused, expert care.

Medical specialties are branches of medicine where doctors focus their training on a specific body system, patient group, or type of care. Some specialties are centuries old, like midwifery, which has guided women through childbirth since ancient times, while others, like medical genetics, only became possible after scientists mapped the human genome. Each one reflects how medicine keeps adapting to new knowledge and patient needs.

Below you’ll find the table with the medical specialty and its description.

Medical Specialty: the name of the field of medicine, listed in alphabetical order so you can find one quickly.

Description: a short, plain-language explanation of what the specialty treats and how it helps patients.

Medical specialties

Medical Specialty
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Medical Genetics
Medical Microbiology
Medical Oncology
Medical Toxicology
Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds)
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Movement Disorders
Musculoskeletal Radiology
Maxillofacial Surgery
Military Medicine
Molecular Pathology
Microsurgery
Metabolic Medicine
Menopause Medicine
Midwifery
Musculoskeletal Medicine

Descriptions

Maternal-Fetal Medicine
A subspecialty of obstetrics focused on managing high-risk pregnancies, including complications affecting the mother or the developing baby.
Medical Genetics
Diagnoses and manages inherited disorders, birth defects, and conditions caused by changes in a person’s genes or chromosomes.
Medical Microbiology
Studies bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to identify infections and guide treatment decisions in patients.
Medical Oncology
Treats cancer using chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and other medications, often working alongside surgeons and radiation specialists.
Medical Toxicology
Focuses on diagnosing and treating poisoning, drug overdoses, and harmful exposures to chemicals or venoms.
Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds)
A combined training path that prepares doctors to care for both adults and children within one practice.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
A precise skin cancer removal technique, performed by specially trained dermatologic surgeons, that removes tumors layer by layer while sparing healthy tissue.
Movement Disorders
A neurology subspecialty treating conditions like Parkinson’s disease, tremors, and other disorders affecting muscle control.
Musculoskeletal Radiology
A radiology subspecialty focused on imaging bones, joints, muscles, and tendons to diagnose injuries and disease.
Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgical care of the face, jaw, mouth, and neck, addressing injuries, tumors, and structural problems in this area.
Military Medicine
The practice of medicine within the armed forces, covering combat trauma care, deployment health, and veteran wellness.
Molecular Pathology
Examines disease at the level of genes and molecules, helping guide diagnosis and personalized treatment choices.
Microsurgery
A surgical approach using microscopes and fine instruments to repair tiny blood vessels, nerves, and tissues.
Metabolic Medicine
Focuses on disorders of metabolism, such as diabetes, obesity, and inherited metabolic conditions.
Menopause Medicine
Specializes in helping women manage the hormonal changes and symptoms associated with menopause.
Midwifery
Provides care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, often for low-risk pregnancies.
Musculoskeletal Medicine
Diagnoses and treats pain and dysfunction in muscles, joints, and the skeletal system, often using hands-on techniques.
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