Aetiology of disease caused by external factors.
The cause of a disease is correctly described as the aetiology. Aetiology is ‘that which causes’. Factors which may be involved in disease causation are therefore termed aetiological factors. So the aetiology causes the pathophysiology which in turn generates the clinical features of the disease. Aetiological factors may arise from within the individual, or from the environment the person is exposed to. Factors arising from within are called endogenous; those from the environment are exogenous.
Any factor from the environment which contributes to disease aetiology is exogenous. These factors are also commonly referred to as environmental. This environment includes the one experienced in the uterus, before birth.
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