Chemicals and Drugs

Surface-Active Agents

Agents that modify interfacial tension of water; usually substances that have one lipophilic and one hydrophilic group in the molecule; includes soaps, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing and wetting agents, and several groups of antiseptics.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Agents that modify interfacial tension of water; usually substances that have one lipophilic and one hydrophilic group in the molecule; includes soaps, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing and wetting agents, and several groups of antiseptics.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • Surface Active Agent
  • Surface Active Agents
  • Surface-Active Agent
  • Active Agent, Surface
  • Active Agents, Surface
  • Agent, Surface Active
  • Agent, Surface-Active
  • Agents, Surface Active
  • Agents, Surface-Active
  • Amphiphilic Agents
  • Surfactant
  • Surfactants
  • Tenside
  • Tensides
  • Agents, Amphiphilic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity.

MeSH Record

History Note

1963

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D27.720.877w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 233

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Surface-Active Agents. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D013501. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D013501
  2. Surface-Active Agents. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
  3. Surface-Active Agents. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191154