neurosurgery

medicine

Also known as: neurologic surgery

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Neurosurgery is a specialized field of medicine focused on the surgical treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A medical professional who performs these operations is known as a neurosurgeon. Neurosurgical procedures are performed to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts of the nervous system. The term "neurosurgical" describes anything related to or performed by means of neurosurgery. This branch of medicine requires extensive training and expertise due to the complexity and delicacy of the nervous structures involved.123

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Harvey Williams Cushing
…are still basic to the surgery of the brain, and his work greatly reduced the high mortality rates that had formerly been associated with brain surgery. He became the leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial tumours. His research on the pituitary body (1912) gained him an international…
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…are still basic to the surgery of the brain, and his work greatly reduced the high mortality rates that had formerly been associated with brain surgery. He became the leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial tumours. His research on the pituitary body (1912) gained him an international…
Read More

history of medicine
Neurosurgery
Though probably the most demanding of all the surgical specialties, neurosurgery was nevertheless one of the first to emerge. The techniques and principles of general surgery were inadequate for work in such a delicate field. William Macewen, a Scottish general surgeon of outstanding versatility,…
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Though probably the most demanding of all the surgical specialties, neurosurgery was nevertheless one of the first to emerge. The techniques and principles of general surgery were inadequate for work in such a delicate field. William Macewen, a Scottish general surgeon of outstanding versatility,…
Read More