Subheadings [SH]

The MeSH Database and Preview/Index can be used to select MeSH heading/subheading combinations for your search. You may also use the following formats:

• MeSH/subheading -- you can use the complete subheading (e.g., thromboembolism/prevention and control) or the two-letter subheading abbreviation -- thromboembolism/pc.
  
  
• As with MeSH terms, subheadings are also exploded so that the search includes the more specific subheadings beneath the broader subheading.
  
  
• MeSH/subheading [majr] -- to search the MeSH/subheading combination as the major focus of the article -- thromboembolism/pc[majr].
  
  
• MeSH/subheading [mh:noexp] -- to turn off the automatic EXPLODE for both the MeSH heading and the subheading -- thromboembolism/pc[mh:noexp].
  
  
• MeSH/subheading [majr:noexp] -- to turn off the automatic EXPLODE for both the MeSH heading and the subheading combination as the major focus of the article -- thromboembolism/pc[majr:noexp].
  
  
• Subheading [sh] -- to search the subheading attached to any MeSH heading (also known as "free-floating") -- breast neoplasms[mh] AND trends[sh].
  
  
• Subheading [sh:noexp] -- to turn off the automatic EXPLODE for the "free-floating" subheading.

• Only one subheading can be attached to a MeSH heading at one time.
• Use caution anytime you are considering turning off automatic EXPLODE as citations are indexed using the most specific heading and subheading available.
• The list of subheadings and abbreviations can be found in PubMed's Help.
• The list of subheading explosions is also available.