Life: The state that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, manifested by growth, metabolism, reproduction, and adaptation. It includes the course of existence, the sum of experiences, the mode of existing, or the fact of being. Over the centuries inquiries into the nature of life have crossed the boundaries fr

NIH MeSH · D019369Humanities

Life

Definition

The state that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, manifested by growth, metabolism, reproduction, and adaptation. It includes the course of existence, the sum of experiences, the mode of existing, or the fact of being. Over the centuries inquiries into the nature of life have crossed the boundaries from philosophy to biology, forensic medicine, anthropology, etc., in creative as well as scientific literature. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed; Dr. James H. Cassedy, NLM History of Medicine Division)

MeSH classification

  • K01.752.400

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Related concepts

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Bioethics

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Codes of Ethics

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Complicity

Association with or participation in an act that is, or is perceived to be, criminal or immoral. One is complicitous when one promotes or un…

Conflict of Interest

A situation in which an individual might benefit personally from official or professional actions. It includes a conflict between a person's…

Common questions about Life

What does Life mean in medicine?
The state that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, manifested by growth, metabolism, reproduction, and adaptation. It includes the course of existence, the sum of experiences, the mode of existing, or the fact of being. Over the centuries inquiries into the nature of life have crossed the boundaries from philosophy to biology, forensic medicine, anthropology, etc., in creative as well as scientific literature. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed; Dr. James H. Cassedy, NLM History of Medicine Division) This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Life known by any other names?
Life is the canonical name in the MeSH vocabulary. There are no commonly used alternate names for this concept in the official NIH database.
Where does Life sit in the medical classification?
Life falls under the broader medical category "Humanities" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: K01.752.400). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Life?
For a plain-language explanation of Life - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Life" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D019369) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗