MeSH Indexing Manual
MeSH, Medical Subject Headings, is a list of controlled terms used for indexing, searching and cataloging of biomedical journals. MeSH is produced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in the USA.
MeSH is a dynamic vocabulary with annual revisions and updates. The content of the vocabulary is related to the use of medical terminology in the literature itself and new concepts are regularly included.
The first official list of subject headings published by the NLM appeared in 1954; a list of subheadings was included.
In 1960, the computerized Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLARS) was introduced and MeSH was completely revised. In 2003 the last printed version of MeSH was published and since 2004 is MeSH available only electronically.
MeSH is translated to several languages, among others to Swedish (Svensk MeSH).
Please note that the Indexing manual is only available in Swedish. For further information about MeSH see
