MeSH Records (Overview)

Three types of MeSH records

• Descriptors (main headings)
• Qualifiers (subheadings)
• Supplementary Concept Records (not used by Cataloging)

Descriptors

Three types of descriptors

• Topical
  • Indicate the subject/topic
    • Examples: Body Weight, Kidney, Self-Medication

• Publication Characteristics (Publication Types)
  • Indicate the genre or format
    • Examples: Atlases, Handbooks, Statistics

• Geographicals
  • Indicate geographic locations, including historical locations
    • Examples: Atlantic Islands, North America, England, Prussia

Qualifiers

• Qualifiers (subheadings)
  • Used in conjunction with Descriptors to convey a particular aspect of a subject
    • Examples: adverse effects, diagnosis, therapy