Which term describes a specialist who studies and treats a specific area in medicine?

The term that describes a specialist who studies and treats a specific area in medicine is "logist." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "logia," which means "study" or "discourse." When attached to a root word, it indicates a person who is an expert in that particular field. For example, a cardiologist specializes in the study and treatment of heart conditions, while a neurologist focuses on the nervous system.

Understanding the suffix helps contextualize how medical specialties are formed and recognized. The other terms provided have different meanings; for instance, "-oma" typically refers to tumors or abnormal growths, "-logy" denotes the study of a subject in general, and "-genist" does not specifically indicate a medical specialist but could refer to a person who generates or produces something. Thus, "-logist" clearly defines a specialist within the medical field who's dedicated to a specific area of study and practice.