Exogenous Health Dictionary

Of a disease or disorder, having a cause that is external to the body, such as infection, poisoning, or injury. (See also endogenous.)

Arising outside the body. For example, exogenous DEPRESSION is an illness caused by an outside factor such as the death of a close relative; an exogenous illness may occur because of something eaten in the diet.

Arising from the outside; the opposite of endogenous

adj. originating outside the body or part of the body: applied particularly to substances in the body that are derived from the diet rather than built up by the body’s own processes of metabolism. Compare endogenous.