Searching PubMed

MeSH terms are used to catalog and index the article records in PubMed. They are arranged into tree structures and are updated every year to include new developments.

Although MeSH terms can be used in PubMed searches, they are found in their own database.  This database is similar to searching PubMed but keep in mind that:

• You are not searching article records, only subject headings.
• The search history in the MeSH database is distinct from the search history in PubMed.

To search MeSH, click here.

When searching MeSH, keep in mind:

• Each search result that you see is a different subject heading. These are not article records!

• Sometimes more than one subject heading will be relevant for your search. Review the results and open any that may be useful.

 

 

 

 

 

• MeSH pages for each term have certain standard features. Including a Scope Note, which is a brief definition of the term. Here's an example:

 

 

 

 

• Subject headings introduced after the early 1960s will display the Year Introduced. MeSH is not retroactive -  If a subject heading is introduced in 2020, citations from 2019 and earlier will not be indexed with that term.

 

 

 

 

 

• Subheadings can be used to search for specific areas within the MeSH. You can search as many subheadings as you want!

 

 

 

 

 

• Entry terms includes alternate and archaic terms, synonyms These terms are not subject headings, but you may consider using them as keywords in your search. More information on Entry Terms is available here.