MeSH MCP

Search MeSH descriptors by label using the NLM Lookup autocomplete endpoint.

Use this to find the MeSH UI code and URI for a biomedical concept before calling get_mesh_record or get_mesh_qualifiers.

Parameters

query : str The label string to search for (e.g. "diabetes", "neoplasms"). match : str Matching strategy: "startsWith" — left-anchored (default, analogous to LCSH suggest2) "contains" — substring match anywhere in the label "exact" — exact match only limit : int Maximum number of results to return (default 10, max 50).

Returns

dict A 'results' list of {label, ui, uri} dicts, or an 'error' key. 'ui' is the MeSH unique identifier (e.g. "D003920"). 'uri' is the full RDF URI (e.g. "http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D003920").

Retrieve a full MeSH descriptor record including scope note (annotation), tree numbers with their top-level category letters, broader descriptors, and see-also cross-references.

Use this after search_mesh to obtain cataloging details for a confirmed MeSH heading.

Parameters

descriptor : str The MeSH UI code (e.g. "D003920") or full URI returned by search_mesh.

Returns

dict A structured record containing: - ui : MeSH unique identifier (e.g. "D003920") - uri : Full RDF URI - label : Preferred heading label - annotation : Scope note / indexing annotation (if present) - dateIntroduced : Year the heading was introduced - lastUpdated : Date the record was last updated - treeNumbers : List of tree number strings (e.g. "C18.452.394.750") - treeCategories : Top-level category letters derived from tree numbers - broader : List of {label, ui} dicts for parent descriptors - seeAlso : List of {label, ui} dicts for cross-references - qualifierCount : Number of allowable qualifiers (full list via get_mesh_qualifiers)

Retrieve the allowable subheading qualifiers for a MeSH descriptor.

MeSH qualifiers (subheadings) refine the topical focus of a heading — for example "Diabetes Mellitus/therapy" or "Neoplasms/diagnosis". Only qualifiers designated by NLM as allowable for the given descriptor are returned.

This is the MeSH equivalent of the maySubdivideGeographically check used in the cataloger MCP server for LCSH headings.

Note: The NLM public API does not expose qualifier abbreviations (e.g. /su for surgery). Use the full qualifier label when constructing headings in MARC: $a Diabetes Mellitus $x surgery.

Parameters

descriptor : str The MeSH UI code (e.g. "D003920") or full URI returned by search_mesh. include_annotations : bool If True, fetch each qualifier's .json record to include its indexing annotation. Makes up to 34 additional HTTP requests — use only when you need the annotation text for a specific qualifier. Default False.

Returns

dict Contains: - descriptor : The UI code queried - qualifierCount : Total number of allowable qualifiers - qualifiers : List of {label, ui, uri} dicts sorted alphabetically. If include_annotations=True, each dict also has an 'annotation' key.

Retrieve the MeSH tree hierarchy for a descriptor: its tree numbers, the full name of each top-level category, and its immediate broader (parent) descriptors.

Use this to understand where a heading sits within the MeSH hierarchy, helping to determine whether the heading is specific enough for the work or whether a broader heading would be more appropriate.

MeSH tree number top-level categories: A Anatomy B Organisms C Diseases D Chemicals and Drugs E Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment F Psychiatry and Psychology G Phenomena and Processes H Disciplines and Occupations I Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena J Technology, Industry, and Agriculture K Humanities L Information Science M Named Groups N Health Care V Publication Characteristics Z Geographicals

Parameters

descriptor : str The MeSH UI code (e.g. "D003920") or full URI returned by search_mesh.

Returns

dict Contains: - ui : MeSH unique identifier - label : Preferred heading label - treeNumbers : List of tree number strings - categories : List of {letter, name} dicts for top-level categories - broader : List of {label, ui} dicts for parent descriptors