Searching with MeSH
How to Get There
Searching MeSH
Send to Search Box
Addition another Term
Working with the Results Set
Other Tools
Related Links
PubMed uses a controlled vocabulary to index the articles in the database. This controlled vocabulary is called Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Each citation in PubMed is assigned a series of subjects, or MeSH Headings, to identify the topics covered in an article. MeSH provides a consistent way to retrieve information that may use different terminology for the same concepts (e.g. MeSH = myocardial infarction vs. keyword = heart attack).
When doing a keyword search, you may miss key articles. If the exact keyword is not used, PubMed may not retrieve that article. Not every concept has a corresponding MeSH term, but it is always a good idea to search MeSH before doing a basic keyword search.
How to Get There
To start using MeSH, click on MeSH Database on the sidebar.
As an example, let's search for articles on asthma drug therapy in pregnant women.
Searching MeSH
With MeSH, you need to search each part of the topic separately. Enter the term, asthma, in the query box and click the Go button.
[Flash video (1 min 32 sec)]
If available, a list of terms will appear, along with a definition of the term. If the exact keyword/phrase that you entered does not match exactly to a MeSH term, MeSH will suggest terms that closely match or encompass the same concept.
You can make a MeSH term more specific by utilizing subheadings. Click the appropriate term to reveal the subheadings and other options.
In our example, we are searching for asthma drug therapies.
Click on the Subheadings link to see a list of subheading definitions. |
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Use the check boxes to select subheadings. If you choose not to use subheadings, check the box next to the main term, Asthma. |
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Use these checkboxes to restrict to major topic or not to include narrow terms beneath the MeSH term in the tree. |
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Entry Terms (synonyms) are provided.
The MeSH hierarchy is displayed with the searched term in boldface. Indented terms under the searched term are narrower/related MeSH terms |
Note: When a term is searched as a MeSH Heading, PubMed automatically searches that heading and the more specific headings underneath in the hierarchy. This is called exploding a term.
Note: Searching with MeSH terms will exclude in process citations and publisher-supplied citations as they have not been indexed with MeSH headings.
Send to Search Box
After checking the term or subheading(s), select Search Box with AND from the Send to pull-down menu. [Flash video (40 sec)]
The term with any specifications will appear in the Search Box:
Adding another Term
Before clicking the Search PubMed button, you can add more terms into the search box. Return to the initial MeSH browse box and enter your next concept.
You can also add a MeSH term (1.) directly from the list of possibilities by check the box next to the term and then selecting (2.) Search box with AND in the Send to list.
Note: To avoid inaccurate results, group terms that are OR'ed together in parentheses [e.g., ("Asthma/drug therapy"[MeSH] OR "Hypersensitivity/drug therapy"[MeSH]) AND "Pregnancy"[MeSH] will retrieve results with either Asthma/drug therapy OR Hypersensitivity. All results will contain Pregnancy.)
Now that all of your MeSH terms are formatted properly, click the Search PubMed button to run the search.
You will then retrieve a list of citations that contain the MeSH terms that you applied.
Working with the Results Set
Set your limits
Display your results
Connect to full-text
Print, Save, Clipboard, or Email Your Citation List
Other Tools
Clinical Queries Search
Uses filters to limit retrieval to systematic reviews or research-based citiations on clinical topics.
Related Articles
Clicking on the 'related articles' link to the right of a citation will retrieve closely related citations. These citations are displayed by relevancy and may be reviewed and added to the clipboard, saved or printed.
Single Citation Matcher
Lets you fill in known pieces of information about a specific reference in order to retrieve the full citation.
My NCBI (formerly Cubby)
Provides a space to save and update up to 100 searches.
Additional Help
Use the side bar on left side of the PubMed screen to access special Help screens. Consult with library staff or use one of the Related Links listed below.
Related links
NLM PubMed tutorial
NLM PubMed Quick Tours
Branching Out: The MeSH® Vocabulary
McGoogan Library of Medicine Education Department
College/Department Library Liaisons
Literature Search Service
