A side-by-side look at the Medlineplus and Medical Terminologies MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Medlineplus for biology, medicine and bioinformatics work as a local process; choose Medical Terminologies MCP for biology, medicine and bioinformatics as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
connect, search.WHO_CLIENT_ID, WHO_CLIENT_SECRET, WHO_ICD11_RELEASE_ID.icd11_search, icd11_lookup, icd11_hierarchy.Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Biology, Medicine and Bioinformatics | Biology, Medicine and Bioinformatics |
| Quality signal | 56/100 · Good | 67/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | WHO_CLIENT_IDWHO_CLIENT_SECRETWHO_ICD11_RELEASE_ID |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 15 |
| Directory activity | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 2 | 33 |
| Full listing | View Medlineplus | View Medical Terminologies MCP |
connectMap a clinical code (ICD-10-CM, SNOMED CT, RxCUI, LOINC, NDC, MeSH, HGNC) to MedlinePlus consumer-health topics.searchFree-text search across MedlinePlus topics (or related NLM databases).icd11_searchSearch for medical conditions, diseases, and health problems in ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision).
Use this tool to:
- Find ICD-11 codes for diagnoses
- Search for diseases by name or keyword
- Look up conditions in multiple languages
Set `language` for WHO's official translations — e.g. `language: "pt"` searches and returns the official Portuguese (pt-BR) ICD-11 labels. Never machine-translated.
Returns matching entities with codes, titles, and relevance scores.icd11_lookupGet detailed information about a specific ICD-11 entity by code or URI.
Use this tool to:
- Get the full definition of a disease
- Retrieve coding notes and exclusions
- Get the official title and synonyms
Provide either an ICD-11 code (e.g., "BA00") or a full foundation URI. Set `language` for WHO's official translations (e.g. `language: "pt"` for official Portuguese).icd11_hierarchyNavigate the ICD-11 hierarchy to find parent or child entities.
Use this tool to:
- Find broader categories (parents) of a condition
- Find specific subtypes (children) of a condition
- Understand the classification structure
Name the entity by `code` (a leaf code like "5A11", or a block range like "5A10-5A2Y" — blocks come back from 'parents' with an empty code and a code_range) or by `uri` (the URI any previous answer returned). Direction 'parents' returns ancestor categories, 'children' returns subcategories. ICD-10 codes (like "E11") are not ICD-11 codes: convert them first with map_icd10_to_icd11.icd11_chaptersList all ICD-11 chapters (top-level categories).
Use this tool to:
- Get an overview of ICD-11 structure
- Find which chapter covers a body system or condition type
- Navigate to specific disease categories
ICD-11 has 28 chapters covering all areas of medicine.icd11_postcoordinationGet postcoordination information for an ICD-11 code.
Use this tool to:
- Find available axes for building composite codes
- Check required vs optional postcoordination
- Understand code extension possibilities
Postcoordination allows adding severity, laterality, anatomy, etc.loinc_searchSearch for laboratory tests, clinical observations, and measurements in LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes).
Use this tool to:
- Find LOINC codes for lab tests (e.g., "glucose", "hemoglobin")
- Search for clinical measurements and vital signs
- Look up diagnostic observations
Returns matching LOINC codes with names, components, and properties.loinc_detailsGet detailed information about a specific LOINC code.
Use this tool to:
- Get the full name and description of a LOINC code
- Find the component, property, timing, and system
- Check the scale type and method
Provide a LOINC number in format "XXXXX-X" (e.g., "2339-0" for Glucose).loinc_answersGet the list of valid answers for a LOINC questionnaire item.
Use this tool to:
- Find valid response options for survey questions
- Get answer codes for data entry validation
- Look up standardized answer lists
Only applicable to LOINC codes that represent questions with defined answer sets.loinc_panelsGet the structure of a LOINC panel or form.
Use this tool to:
- See all tests included in a panel (e.g., CBC, metabolic panel)
- Get the structure of assessment forms
- Find related observations grouped together
Returns the list of LOINC codes that make up the panel.rxnorm_searchSearch for drugs in RxNorm (Normalized names for clinical drugs).
Use this tool to:
- Find drug concepts by brand or generic name
- Look up medications for prescribing
- Search for drug formulations
Returns matching drugs with RxCUI identifiers, names, and term types.rxnorm_conceptGet detailed information about a specific RxNorm concept by RxCUI.
Use this tool to:
- Get the full name and synonyms for a drug
- Check the concept status (active, remapped, etc.)
- View related concepts (ingredients, brands, forms)
Provide an RxCUI (RxNorm Concept Unique Identifier) like "161".rxnorm_ingredientsGet active ingredients for a drug by RxCUI.
Use this tool to:
- Find the active ingredients in a medication
- Check for single vs. multiple ingredient products
- Identify the generic components of brand drugs
Returns ingredient RxCUIs and names.Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
{
"mcpServers": {
"medlineplus": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pipeworx/mcp-medlineplus"
]
}
}
}
{
"mcpServers": {
"sidneybissoli-medical-terminologies-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"medical-terminologies-mcp"
],
"env": {
"WHO_CLIENT_ID": "YOUR_WHO_CLIENT_ID_HERE",
"WHO_CLIENT_SECRET": "YOUR_WHO_CLIENT_SECRET_HERE",
"WHO_ICD11_RELEASE_ID": "YOUR_WHO_ICD11_RELEASE_ID_HERE"
}
}
}
}