Organisms

Crotalinae

A subfamily of snakes commonly known as pit vipers, crotaline snakes, or pit adders in the family VIPERIDAE. They are distinguished by a deep pit called a fossa or loreal, which functions as a heat-sensing organ located between the eye and nostril on either side of the head.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A subfamily of snakes commonly known as pit vipers, crotaline snakes, or pit adders in the family VIPERIDAE. They are distinguished by a deep pit called a fossa or loreal, which functions as a heat-sensing organ located between the eye and nostril on either side of the head.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

11 entry terms
  • Crotalids
  • Pit Viper
  • Pit Vipers
  • Viper, Pit
  • Atropoides
  • Crotalidae
  • Deinagkistrodon
  • Lachesis
  • Metlapilcoatlus
  • Porthidium
  • Sistrurus

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

17 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, classification, embryology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, surgery, urine, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

venom = CROTALID VENOMS

MeSH Record

History Note

2018; use Viperidae 1994-2017

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. B01w.050w.050.286.875w.875w.240w
  2. B01w.050w.150w.900w.833w.672w.125w.937w.240w
  3. B01w.050w.150w.900w.833w.672w.562w.875w.240w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Crotalinae. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000073562. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000073562
  2. Crotalinae. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_viper
  3. Crotalinae. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q595983