Table of Contents: 2024 SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER No. 460

NLM Classification 2024 Summer Edition Now Available

NLM Classification 2024 Summer Edition Now Available. NLM Tech Bull. 2024 Sep-Oct;(460):e1.

2024 September 12 [posted]

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Classification was updated on September 12, 2024. NLM is committed to regularly updating and revising the NLM Classification based on advancements in science and current events. Each year NLM selects portions of the classification schedules for systematic review and revision.

The major focus of the 2024 summer edition was the systematic review of the following schedules: WJ Urogenital System and WP Gynecology. In addition to the systematic reviews of the WJ and WP schedules, other minor additions and changes were made.

The systematic review of the WJ and WP schedules provided an opportunity to re-examine the historical practices regarding the classification of works about male and female reproductive organs. Before the review, works about male genitalia were classed in WJ and female in WP, while works discussing both male and female reproductive organs were classed in WJ with male. By specifying the male gender as the norm, the NLM Classification implied a preference for one gender. Inclusive and Gender-Neutral Language | National Institutes of Health (NIH) was consulted as part of the decision-making process.

While there are constraints on updating a classification system that has been used for over 70 years, the Classification Editorial Committee determined that classifying all resources on genitalia and genital diseases together in the WP schedule would improve inclusivity and reduce bias in the classification of these works going forward. This change required designating 25 WJ schedule numbers as obsolete and creating 22 new numbers within the WP schedule. This represents a major change in the classification schedules and associated policy but is an important step toward ensuring that the NLM Classification supports NLM’s commitment to inclusivity and reflects the current best practice in the scientific research community.

Summary Statistics for the 2024 Summer Edition

2 schedule headers modified
37 class numbers added
3 range headers added
54 class number captions or notes modified
7 range headers modified
32 class numbers canceled
1 range header deleted
11 index main headings added
175 index entries modified
50 index headings deleted

Systematic Reviews for the 2024 Summer Edition

Highlights from the WJ Urogenital System

6 NEW WJ CLASS NUMBERS

New Class Number	Caption
WJ 155	Urolithiasis
WJ 170	Circumcision
WJ 301.5	Kidney diseases (General or not elsewhere classified)
WJ 342.5	Chronic renal insufficiency
WJ 379	Peritoneal dialysis
WJ 490	Urinary bladder. Cystoscopy

9 NEW CLASS NUMBERS IN OTHER SCHEDULES RELATED TO WJ SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

New Class Number	Caption
QT 105	Physiology of sexual behavior
QT 106	Sex characteristics. Sexual development
QT 107	Climacteric
QT 108	Menopause
QT 109	Postmenopause
QU 377	Cell differentiation
QU 380	Gametogenesis
QU 385	Spermatogenesis
QV 164	Genitourinary agents

26 CANCELED WJ CLASS NUMBERS

Canceled Class Number	Former Caption	New Instructions for Classification
WJ 24.5	Sperm banks (Table-G)	Classify works on sperm banks in WP 24.5.
WJ 24.51	[Sperm banks] General coverage (Not Table-G)
WJ 190	Gynecologic urology	Classify works on female urogenital diseases in WJ 140-WJ 141.
WJ 303	Diuresis. Renal elimination	Classify works on diuresis in WJ 146; classify works on renal elimination in WJ 301.
WJ 343	Proteinuria. Albuminuria. Renal aminoacidurias	Classify works on proteinuria in WJ 146.
WJ 344	Hemoglobinuria. Hematuria. Myoglobinuria	Classify works on hematuria in WJ 146.
WJ 351	Infections	Classify works pyelitis in WJ 353.
WJ 700	[Male Genitalia] General works	Classify general works on genitalia in WP 90. Classify general works on male genitalia in WP 95. Classify works on male genital diseases in WP 135
WJ 701	[Male Genitalia] Anatomy. Histology. Embryology	Classify general works on the anatomy, histology or embryology of male genitalia in WP 101.
WJ 702	[Male Genitalia] Physiology	Classify works on the physiology of male genitalia in WP 505.
WJ 706	[Genital] Neoplasms (General)	Classify all general works on genital neoplasms in WP 145.
WJ 709	Physiological sexual dysfunctions. Infertility	Classify all general works on physiological sexual dysfunction in WP 610. Classify works on erectile dysfunction in WP 615. Classify works on male infertility in WP 575.
WJ 710	Male contraception	Classify works on contraception in WP 630 and on contraceptive devices in WP 640.
WJ 712	Disorders of sex development	Classify works on disorders of sex development in WJ 101.
WJ 750	Prostate. Seminal vesicles. Ejaculatory ducts	Classify works on the prostate in WP 940.
WJ 752	Prostate diseases	Classify works on prostatic diseases in WP 942.
WJ 762	[Prostatic] Neoplasms	Classify works on prostatic neoplasms in WP 946.
WJ 768	[Prostatic] Surgery (General)	Classify works on prostatic surgery in WP 948.
WJ 780	Vas deferens. Seminal vesicles. Spermatic cord	Classify works on the vas deferens in WP 135. Classify works on vasectomy in WP 645.
WJ 790	Penis. Foreskin. Circumcision	Classify works on the penis and on male circumcision in WP 950.
WJ 800	Scrotum. Scrotal contents. Epididymis. Tunica vaginalis	Classify works on the scrotum and epididymis in WP 95.
WJ 830	Testis	Classify works on the testis in WP 960.
WJ 834	Spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa	Classify works on spermatogenesis in QU 385. Classify works on spermatozoa in WP 95.
WJ 840	Cryptorchidism. Eunuchism and related disorders	Classify works on cryptorchidism and eunuchism in WP 963.
WJ 858	[Testicular] Neoplasms	Classify testicular neoplasms at WP 965.
WJ 868	Surgery. Castration	Classify works on male castration in WJ 168.

14 MODIFED WJ CLASS NUMBERS
1 MODIFED CLASS NUMBER IN OTHER SCHEDULES RELATED TO WJ SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Highlights from the WP Gynecology

Andrology was added to the WP schedule header.
21 NEW WP CLASS NUMBERS

New Class Number	Caption
WP 21.5	Andrology as a profession. Ethics. Peer review
WP 24.5	Sperm banks (Table G)
WP 24.51	General coverage (Not Table-G)
WP 90	Genitalia (General)
WP 95	Male genitalia (General)
WP 130	Genital diseases (General)
WP 135	Male genital diseases (General)
WP 252	Vaginal smears. Papanicolaou test
WP 573	Female infertility
WP 575	Male infertility
WP 615	Erectile dysfunction
WP 645	Reproductive sterilization
WP 940	Prostate
WP 942	Prostatic diseases
WP 944	Prostatic hyperplasia
WP 946	Prostatic neoplasms
WP 948	Prostate surgery (General)
WP 950	Penis
WP 960	Testis
WP 963	Testicular diseases
WP 965	Testicular neoplasms

6 CANCELED WP CLASS NUMBERS

Deleted Class Number	Former Caption	New Instructions for Classification
WP 150	Congenital abnormalities [of genitalia]	Classify works on abnormalities of genitalia in WP 101.
WP 157	Gonorrhea in the female	Classify works on gonorrhea in WC 150.
WP 170	Perineal injuries	Classify works on the perineum in WE 760.
WP 451	Inflammations	Classify works on endometritis at WP 400.
WP 460	[Uterine] Carcinoma. Sarcoma	Classify works on uterine carcinoma or sarcoma in WP 458.
WP 580	Menopause	Classify works on menopause in QT 108.

26 MODIFED WP CLASS NUMBERS
3 MODIFED CLASS NUMBER IN OTHER SCHEDULES RELATED TO WP SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Next Edition

The 2025 winter edition will be published in late January 2025. It will encompass the additions and changes from the 2025 MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) vocabulary as evaluated for inclusion in the Classification index. All main index headings will be linked to the 2025 vocabulary in the MeSH Browser at that time.

The NLM Classification number appears in many terms in the MeSH Browser and is supplied by the Metadata Management Program (MMP) when the MeSH term points to a single classification number. These class numbers are current as of the Winter 2024 edition of the NLM Classification. They will be updated with the publication of the 2025 Winter edition in January 2025.

To learn more about the NLM Classification see the NLM Policy on Classification.