Cataloging: Using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH®) in Cataloging
Module 4—Use of Topical Qualifiers (Subheadings)
page 3 of 10
Introduction
Module 1
Subject Analysis Principles
Module 2
Introduction to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and the MeSH Browser
Module 3
Selecting the Main Concept
Module 4
Use of Topical Subheadings in MeSH
Module 5
Geographic Headings
Module 6
Publication Types
Module 7
Names as Subjects
Module 8
Deconstructed Headings vs. Subject Strings
Allowable Qualifiers
- Not every qualifier is permitted for use with every subject heading
- The tree categories are a general guide to which descriptors are permitted with the qualifier
- A list of qualifiers by allowable category is available here
- However, there are many exceptions, so the cataloger should always check the AQ (allowable qualifier) list found in each descriptor record in the MeSH browser
- Geographic terms from the Z tree have only two possible qualifiers:
- epidemiology
- ethnology
- Subheadings are never used with names or publication types
- Annotations in the MeSH browser record may provide guidance on when and how to use certain subheadings. These are guidelines, rather than hard and fast rules
- Also check the Entry Combination field in the MeSH browser record for the descriptor to see if there is a pre-coordinated term for the concept
Annotation and Entry Combination Example
