There are 77 medical specialties that start with the letter N. From Nail Pathology to Nutrition. Medical specialties are fields within medicine that focus on specific functions, patient populations, or types of diseases. They have evolved to address the increasing complexity of healthcare, enabling practitioners to hone their skills and knowledge in particular areas. Specialists typically undergo extensive training that includes residency programs and sometimes additional fellowships, allowing them to provide advanced care and treatment options. The diversification into various specialties ensures that patients receive expert diagnosis and management of their medical conditions, thus enhancing the quality of care.
An interesting fact about medical specialties is that many of them have unique subspecialties that have developed around advancements in technology and research. For instance, within internal medicine, there are subspecialties like cardiology and gastroenterology that focus on specific organ systems or diseases, demonstrating a continuous evolution of medical practice to incorporate new knowledge and techniques.
Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:
Focus Area: This column indicates the primary domain or aspect of health care that the specialty addresses, such as cardiology focusing on heart diseases or pediatrics centering on children’s health.
Training Required: This column specifies the education and training commitments needed to practice within the specialty, typically involving medical school, residency, and possibly fellowships for further specialization.
Common Procedures: This column outlines the typical medical interventions or treatments that practitioners in the specialty perform regularly, such as surgeries, diagnostic tests, or therapeutic measures.
Description: This column provides a brief overview of the specialty, including its scope of practice, the types of conditions treated, and the patient population served, giving insight into the role of the medical specialty in overall healthcare.
Medical specialties That Start With N
Medical specialties | focus area | training required | common procedures |
---|---|---|---|
Nail Pathology | Diagnosis and treatment of nail disorders | Completion of a dermatology residency | Nail biopsy, nail surgery |
Nail Surgery | Surgical treatment of nail disorders, including ingrown nails, fungal infections, and nail deformities. | Specialized training in podiatry or dermatology, including residency. | Nail removal, nail avulsion, nail bed repair. |
Naprapathy | Musculoskeletal disorders | 4-year doctorate program | Soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, nutritional counseling |
Nasal and Sinus Surgery | Surgical treatment of nasal and sinus conditions | Completion of an otolaryngology (ENT) residency | Rhinoplasty, septoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery |
Naturopathy | Holistic and natural approaches to promoting health and treating illness | Specialized training and certification in naturopathic medicine | Herbal medicine, dietary supplements, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, mind-body therapies |
Neonatal Cardiology | Diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart conditions in newborns and infants. | Specialized training in pediatric cardiology, including a fellowship in neonatal cardiology. | Echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, surgical interventions. |
Neonatal Dermatology | diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions in newborns | additional fellowship training in pediatric dermatology | skin biopsies, laser treatments, topical/systemic therapies |
Neonatal Hematology | diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders in newborns | additional fellowship training in pediatric hematology | blood transfusions, bone marrow aspiration, medication management |
Neonatal Neurology | diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders in newborns | additional fellowship training in pediatric neurology | neurological exams, imaging tests, medication management |
Neonatology | Care of newborn infants | 3-year fellowship after pediatric residency | Resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, phototherapy |
Neonatopathology | Examination and diagnosis of diseases affecting newborn infants | Medical degree, specialized residency training in pathology and neonatology | Performing autopsies on newborns, analyzing tissue samples |
Neonatophobia | fear or phobia of newborn infants | psychological counseling and therapy | cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy |
Neoplastic Dermatology | Diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers and precancerous lesions | Dermatology residency, additional training in dermatopathology | Skin biopsies, excisions, Mohs surgery, photodynamic therapy |
Neoplastic Hematology | Diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers | Completion of a hematology/oncology fellowship | Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, chemotherapy administration |
Nephrolithiasis | Diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones | Completion of a urology or nephrology residency | Lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy |
Nephrology | Diseases of the kidneys | 3-year fellowship after internal medicine residency | Dialysis, kidney transplantation, fluid and electrolyte management |
Nephropathology | Examination and diagnosis of kidney diseases through biopsy analysis | Completion of a pathology residency, often with a focus on renal pathology | Kidney biopsy analysis, diagnosis of glomerular, tubular, and vascular diseases |
Nephropathy | any disease or disorder of the kidneys | varies based on the specific condition | kidney biopsies, dialysis, kidney transplantation |
Neuroacanthocytosis | Rare inherited disorders affecting the nervous system and red blood cells | Completion of a neurology residency, often with subspecialty training | Genetic testing, neurological examinations, treatment of neurological symptoms |
Neuroanaesthesia | Anaesthesia for neurosurgical and neurological procedures | Completion of an anaesthesiology residency, often with additional training in neuroanaesthesia | Administering anaesthesia for brain, spine, and peripheral nerve surgeries |
Neuroanesthesiology | Providing anesthesia for patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures | Medical degree, specialized residency training in anesthesiology and additional fellowship in neuroanesthesiology | Administering anesthesia for brain, spine, and peripheral nerve surgeries, monitoring patient vital signs and neurological function |
Neurobiology | Study of the structure and function of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves | Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field, such as biology, neuroscience, or psychology | Conducting research using experimental models, imaging techniques, and computational methods |
Neurocognitive Disorders | impairment in cognitive function due to neurological conditions | neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation | cognitive testing, medication management, adaptive strategies |
Neurodermatology | diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions related to the nervous system | additional training in dermatology and neurology | skin biopsies, nerve conduction studies, medication management |
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities | Disorders affecting the development of the nervous system | 3-year fellowship after pediatric residency | Developmental assessments, cognitive and behavioral therapies |
Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry | Diagnosis and treatment of developmental disorders | Completion of a psychiatry residency and fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry | Psychotherapy, medication management |
Neurodysfunction | abnormal or impaired functioning of the nervous system | varied based on the underlying cause | neurological exams, imaging tests, rehabilitation therapies |
Neuroendocrinology | Study of the interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system | Specialized training in neuroendocrinology, typically as a subspecialty of endocrinology or neurology | Hormone testing, management of conditions related to hormone imbalances |
Neuroepidemiology | Study of the distribution and determinants of neurological diseases in populations | Completion of a neurology residency, often with additional training in epidemiology | Conducting population-based studies, analyzing disease trends and risk factors |
Neuroergonomics | study of the interaction between the human brain and technology or work environments | specialized training in cognitive neuroscience and ergonomics | cognitive assessments, workplace evaluations, design recommendations |
Neurofibromatosis | Genetic disorders characterized by the growth of tumors along nerves | Completion of a medical genetics or neurology residency | Genetic testing, management of tumor growth and associated complications |
Neurogastroenterology | Study and treatment of disorders affecting the interaction between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal system | Specialized training in gastroenterology and neurology | Evaluation of gut-brain axis, management of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis |
Neurogastroenterology and Motility | Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and related nervous system | Completion of a gastroenterology fellowship with additional training in neurogastroenterology | Esophageal manometry, anorectal manometry, biofeedback therapy |
Neurogenetics | Genetic basis of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders | Medical genetics or neurology residency, additional training in molecular genetics | Genetic testing, counseling, management of inherited neurological conditions |
Neurohospitalist | Inpatient care and management of patients with acute neurological conditions | Completion of a neurology residency, with additional training in hospital-based care | Diagnosing and treating acute neurological emergencies, coordinating inpatient care |
Neuroimmunology | study of the interactions between the nervous system and the immune system | additional fellowship training in neuroimmunology | immune system testing, neurological exams, treatment of autoimmune disorders |
Neuroinfectious Diseases | infectious diseases that affect the nervous system | infectious disease training, neurology training | diagnostic tests, antimicrobial therapies, supportive care |
Neuroinflammation | Study of the inflammatory processes in the central nervous system and their role in neurological diseases | Specialized training in neuroscience, immunology, and inflammation biology | Evaluation of biomarkers, management of neuroinflammatory conditions |
Neuroinformatics | Application of informatics methods to the study of the nervous system | Doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as computer science, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering | Developing computational models of neural systems, analyzing large-scale neuroimaging data |
Neurointensive Care | Specialized care for patients with acute, life-threatening neurological conditions | Medical degree, specialized residency training in critical care medicine and additional fellowship in neurocritical care | Monitoring and managing patients with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or other neurological emergencies |
Neurointensivism | Critical care management of patients with acute neurological emergencies | Completion of a neurology or critical care medicine residency, with additional training in neurointensive care | Managing patients with severe neurological conditions, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and status epilepticus, in the intensive care unit |
Neurointervention | Minimally invasive, image-guided treatment of neurological conditions | Completion of a neuroradiology or neurosurgery residency and fellowship in neurointervention | Endovascular procedures, such as thrombectomy, aneurysm coiling, and arteriovenous malformation embolization |
Neurolinguistics | study of the neural mechanisms underlying language and communication | additional training in neuroscience and linguistics | neuropsychological assessments, functional imaging studies |
Neurology | Diseases of the nervous system | 4-year residency after medical school | Neurological examinations, neuroimaging, electrodiagnostic testing |
Neuromuscular Disease | disorders affecting the nerves, muscles, or neuromuscular junction | neurology training, electrodiagnostic testing | nerve conduction studies, muscle biopsies, medication management |
Neuromyelitis Optica | an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord | additional training in neuroimmunology and neurology | immunomodulatory therapies, plasma exchange, assistive devices |
Neuron Regeneration | the regrowth and repair of damaged or diseased neurons | stem cell research, tissue engineering, neuroplasticity studies | nerve grafts, cell-based therapies, neurorehabilitation |
Neuropalliative Care | palliative and supportive care for patients with neurological disorders | specialized training in neurology and palliative medicine | pain and symptom management, advance care planning, psychosocial support |
Neuropathic Pain | pain caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system | neurology training, pain management expertise | anticonvulsants, antidepressants, topical therapies |
Neuropathology | Diagnosis and study of diseases and injuries affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. | Specialized medical training in pathology, including a fellowship in neuropathology. | Tissue sampling, microscopic analysis, molecular testing. |
Neuropediatrics | the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders in children | pediatric neurology training | neurological exams, imaging tests, medication management |
Neurophysiology | Study of the function of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves | Specialized training in neuroscience and clinical neurophysiology | Electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies |
Neuropsychiatry | Assessment and treatment of the interaction between the brain and behavior | Completion of a psychiatry residency and additional training in neuropsychiatry | Neuropsychological testing, psychotherapy, medication management |
Neuropsychology | the study of the relationship between the brain and behavior | doctoral-level training in psychology and neuroscience | cognitive and behavioral assessments, rehabilitation therapies |
Neuroradiology | Imaging of the nervous system | 1-2 year fellowship after radiology residency | Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and other imaging techniques |
Neurorhetoric | the study of the cognitive and neural processes involved in rhetoric and communication | interdisciplinary training in neuroscience, cognitive science, and rhetoric | neuroimaging studies, discourse analysis, communication skills training |
Neurosarcoidosis | a form of sarcoidosis that primarily affects the nervous system | neurology training, expertise in sarcoidosis management | immunosuppressive medications, corticosteroids, biologic therapies |
Neurosurgery | Surgery of the nervous system | 7-year residency after medical school | Brain surgery, spinal surgery, peripheral nerve surgery |
Neurosurgical Oncology | the surgical treatment of brain and spinal cord tumors | neurosurgery training with additional oncology focus | brain and spinal cord tumor resection, stereotactic radiosurgery |
Neurosyphilis | a late-stage complication of syphilis that affects the nervous system | infectious disease training, neurology expertise | lumbar puncture, antibiotic therapy, neurological monitoring |
Neurotology | Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, especially those affecting hearing and balance. | Specialized training in otolaryngology (ENT) with a focus on neurotology. | Cochlear implantation, vestibular rehabilitation, surgical management of ear disorders. |
Neurotoxicology | the study of the adverse effects of chemicals and substances on the nervous system | toxicology training, expertise in neuroscience | neurological exams, exposure assessments, laboratory testing |
Neurotransmitter Disorders | conditions caused by imbalances or dysfunctions in neurotransmitter systems | neurology training, expertise in neurochemistry | neurotransmitter testing, medication management, dietary interventions |
Neurotrauma | Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries to the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. | Specialized training in neurosurgery, neurology, or emergency medicine, with a focus on neurotrauma. | Craniotomy, spinal decompression, peripheral nerve repair. |
Neurovascular Medicine | Diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the blood vessels supplying the brain and nervous system | Specialized training in neurology, vascular medicine, and endovascular intervention | Carotid artery stenting, intracranial angioplasty and stenting, treatment of cerebral aneurysms |
Neurovascular Surgery | the surgical treatment of disorders affecting the blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord | neurosurgery training with additional focus on vascular pathologies | cerebral aneurysm repair, arteriovenous malformation resection, carotid endarterectomy |
Nuclear Cardiology | Diagnostic imaging techniques using radioactive tracers to evaluate heart function and detect cardiovascular diseases. | Specialized training in cardiology, nuclear medicine, or radiology, with a focus on nuclear cardiology. | Myocardial perfusion imaging, cardiac PET scans, MUGA scans. |
Nuclear Endocrinology | Use of nuclear imaging techniques to evaluate and manage endocrine disorders | Completion of an endocrinology fellowship and additional training in nuclear endocrinology | Radioiodine therapy for thyroid disorders, PET/CT imaging of endocrine tumors |
Nuclear Medicine | Diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioactive materials | 4-year residency after medical school | Positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), radioiodine therapy |
Nuclear Oncology | Use of nuclear imaging and radiopharmaceuticals in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer | Completion of a nuclear medicine or radiation oncology residency and additional training in nuclear oncology | Radioimmunotherapy, radionuclide therapy, PET/CT imaging of tumors |
Nuclear Psychiatry | Use of nuclear imaging techniques to study brain function and neuropsychiatric disorders | Completion of a psychiatry residency and additional training in nuclear psychiatry | SPECT and PET imaging of the brain, amyloid PET imaging |
Nurse Anesthetist | Administration of anesthesia | Master’s degree program or doctoral program | General anesthesia, regional anesthesia, pain management |
Nurse Practitioner | Primary and specialty care | Master’s degree or doctoral program | Comprehensive patient assessments, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting tests |
Nursing Administration | Leadership and management of nursing practices and healthcare organizations | Graduate-level education in nursing, healthcare management, or business administration | Strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, team management |
Nursing Education | Instruction and curriculum development for nursing students and healthcare professionals | Graduate-level education in nursing, nursing education, or higher education | Classroom instruction, clinical supervision, curriculum design, educational research |
Nursing Informatics | Application of information and communication technologies to nursing practice, education, and research. | Specialized nursing education, often with a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing informatics. | Design and implementation of digital health systems, data analysis, and workflow optimization. |
Nutrition | Dietary needs and nutritional status | Varies, can include bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree | Dietary counseling, nutrition education, medical nutrition therapy |
Descriptions
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