Kind of surgeon - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Kind of surgeon," is a classic example of a straightforward, definition-style clue often found in early-week puzzles. It asks for an adjective that specifies a particular medical specialty. The answer forms a common, everyday phrase, making it a great entry point for solvers.

Clue Analysis

The clue is essentially a fill-in-the-blank: "____ surgeon." The solver's task is to identify a common type of surgeon. The answer will be a descriptive word that modifies "surgeon." The simplicity of the clue suggests the answer is a well-known term rather than an obscure medical specialty.

Thinking Approaches

A good first step is to brainstorm different surgical specialties. You might think of:

• Cardiac surgeon (heart)
• Neurosurgeon (brain/nervous system)
• Orthopedic surgeon (bones/joints)
• Plastic surgeon (reconstruction)

As you list these, you consider the length of the answer slot in the grid. If the slot is short, say four letters, most of these won't fit. This is where you pivot to think about other common procedures. What kind of surgeon deals with issues inside the mouth, like impacted wisdom teeth? This line of thinking quickly leads to an oral surgeon.

Another angle is to consider the double meaning of the potential answer. The word we're looking for also means "spoken" or "verbal," as in an "oral report." While this isn't the primary meaning in the context of the clue, recognizing this duality can help confirm the answer if you have a few crossing letters.

Background Context

An oral surgeon, more formally known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, is a specialist who treats diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.

Their scope is broad and includes everything from wisdom tooth extraction and dental implant surgery to corrective jaw surgery and treating facial trauma. The term is widely understood by the general public, making it excellent crossword puzzle fodder.

For those interested in the specifics of the specialty, the Wikipedia page on Oral and maxillofacial surgery provides a detailed overview.

Conclusion

This clue is a solid, gettable entry that rewards general knowledge. By thinking through common medical terms and using the puzzle's constraints (like answer length), solvers can arrive at the answer with confidence. It's a perfect example of how crosswords blend vocabulary and real-world knowledge.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This type of surgeon specializes in a specific part of the body.
2. Hint 2: Their work is focused on the head and neck area.
3. Hint 3: Think of the specialty that often deals with wisdom teeth.
4. Hint 4: The word can also mean 'spoken' or 'relating to the mouth'.