From Textbook (Medical Specialties and Systems) - Unit 2: The Body in Health and Disease

Cardiology – Cardiovascular System

The study of the heart (and related structures).

Structures: heart; arteries; veins; capillaries.

Functions: circulate blood throughout the body.

Dentistry

Specialist: Dentist

Dentistry is a process related to the specialty of the teeth. A dentist is a doctor of dentistry who specializes in the teeth.

Dermatology – Integumentary System

Specialist: Dermatologist

Structures: skin; hair; nails; sweat glands; oil glands.

Functions: receive sensory information (pain, touch, temperature); protect internal organs; regulate body temperature by sweating.

Dietetics

Speciality: Diatitian

Dietetics is the knowledge and practice of diet and foods. A dietitian is a healthcare professional who specializes in dietetics.

Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) System

Structures: ears, nose, sinuses, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box)

Function: receive sensory information (hearing, balance, smell), produce speech

Endocrinology – Endocrine System

Specialist: Endocrinologist

Structures: pituitary gland; pineal gland; thyroid gland; parathyroid glands; thymus; pancreas; adrenal glands; ovaries; testes.

Functions: secrete hormones into the blood; direct the activities of the body.

Eyes

Structure: eyes

Function: receive sensory information (vision)

Gastroenterology – Gastrointestinal System

Specialist: Gastroenterologist

Structures: mouth (teeth and tongue); salivary glands; pharynx (throat); esophagus; stomach; small intestine; large intestine; liver; gallbladder; pancreas.

Functions: receive sensory information (taste); digest food; absorb nutrients into the blood; excrete undigested wastes.

Geriatrics

Specialist: Gerontologist

Geriatrics is the knowledge and practice of persons of old age and their medical treatment. A gerontologist is a physician who specializes in geriatrics.

Gynecology and Obstetrics – Female Genital and Reproductive System

Structures: breasts; ovaries; uterine tubes; uterus; vagina; external genitalia.

Functions: secrete female hormones; develop female secondary sexual characteristics; produce ova; menstruate; conceive and bear children; produce milk to nourish children.

Hematology – Blood

Specialist: Hematologist

Structures: blood (blood cells and plasma).

Functions: transport oxygen and nutrients to the cells; transport carbon dioxide to the lungs and wastes to the kidneys.

Immunology – Blood, Lymphatic System

Specialist: Immunologist

Structures: lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and lymph fluid; spleen; thymus; white blood cells.

Functions: recognize and destroy disease-causing organisms and abnormal cells.

Integumentary System

Structures: skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, oil glands

Functions: receive sensory information (pain, touch, temperature), protect internal organs, regulate body temperature by sweating

Male Reproductive Medicine – Male Genital and Reproductive System

Structures: scrotum; testes; epididymides; vas deferens; seminal vesicles; prostate gland; urethra; *****

Functions: secrete male hormones; develop male secondary sexual characteristics; produce and release sperm.

Neonatology

Neonatology is the study of newborn babies with medical problems. A neonatologist is a physician who specializes in neonatology.

Neurology – Nervous System

Structures: brain; cranial nerves; spinal cord; spinal nerves; cerebrospinal fluid; neurons.

Functions: receive, relay, and interpret sensory information (vision, hearing, smell, taste) and sensations (pain, touch, temperature, body position, balance); coordinate movement; store and interpret memory and emotion.

Ophthalmology – Eyes

Structures: eyes.

Functions: receive sensory information (vision).

Orthopedics – Skeletal System

Structures: bones; cartilage; ligaments; joints.

Functions: support the body.

Orthopedics – Muscular System

Structures: muscles; tendons.

Functions: produce movement of the body.

Otolaryngology – Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) System

Structures: ears; nose; sinuses; pharynx (throat); larynx (voice box).

Functions: receive sensory information (hearing, balance, smell); produce speech.

Oncology

Oncology is the study of a (cancerous) mass or tumor. An oncologist is a physician who specializes in oncology.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the medical treatment of the mind. A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry.

Pulmonology – Respiratory System

Structures: nose; pharynx (throat); larynx (voice box); trachea; bronchi; bronchioles; alveoli (in the lungs).

Functions: inhale oxygen; exhale carbon dioxide; exchange gases in the alveoli.

Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Radiology is the study and use of x-rays, sound waves, and other forms of radiation and energy to diagnose diseases. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases. A radiologist is a physician who specializes in radiology and nuclear medicine.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of medicines and drugs. A pharmacist has a doctoral degree in pharmacy and specializes in medicines and drugs.

Pediatrics

Pediatrics is the knowledge and practice of children and their medical treatment. A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in pediatrics.

Urology – Urinary System

Structures: kidneys; ureters; bladder; urethra; nephrons.

Functions: filter out waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine.