Medical Subject Headings
Welcome to Medical Subject Headings!
The NLM's curated medical vocabulary resource.
Our main purpose is to provide a hierarchically-organized terminology for indexing and cataloging of biomedical information such as MEDLINE/PUBmed and other NLM databases. We also distribute pharmaceutical information through our RxNorm database, and manage the curation of the UMLS and SnoMed database.
Explore MeSH Vocabulary
- MeSH Browser our default search tool for finding keywords
- MeSH on Demand: our new app that finds keywords for you
- MeSH RDF: discover MeSH on the Semantic Web
- MeSH PublicationTypes: View Pubtypes with Scope Notes
What's New
Visit our What's New page to see all recent MeSH developments including the most recent ones listed below
- 2017 MeSH files- The November release of 2017 MeSH Descriptors, Qualifiers, and Supplemental Records is now available.
- A new version of the MeSH Browser is now running! The old browser has been retired after many years of sevice.
- New FTP site! MeSH files from 1999-present are now available via a simple FTP file structure
Obtain MeSH Data
- Download electronic copies of MeSH.
- Lists of Annual Changes to MeSH.
- MeSH on Demand.
- Access RDF MeSH Data
- View MeSH Pubtypes
Learn About MeSH
- MeSH Fact Sheet
- Introduction to MeSH
- MeSH Tutorials and Webinars
- Using the MeSH Browser
- Finding Keywords for Publications
- Use of MeSH in Cataloging
- Searching PubMed® Using MeSH Search Terms
- PubMed® Online Training
- Publications and presentations by MeSH staff
Related MeSH Efforts
- RxNorm: A drug vocabulary used for e-prescribing, formulary, medication history, government reporting, drug compendia mapping, and other uses
- Daily Med: Provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States
- Unified Medical Language System (UMLS®) Metathesaurus: A collection of biomedical names and codes grouped as sets of synonyms, derived from over 150 medical vocabulary sources.
- NLM Classification: A NLM vocabulary used for the arrangement of library materials in the field of medicine and related sciences.
User Input and Suggestions
- Make Suggestions for new MeSH vocabulary
- Corrections: Please let us know if you find a mistake in MeSH
- Downloading or Other Problems: Our technical staff can help