Endogenní

Endogenní (endogenous) is an adjective used in various scientific disciplines to denote that something originates from within a system, organism, or process, as opposed to exogenní (exogenous), which originates outside it. The term comes from Greek endon, meaning “within,” and gennaō, meaning “to produce,” passing into Latin as endogenous.

In biology and medicine, endogenní describes substances or processes produced by the organism itself, such as endogenous hormones (for example, insulin, cortisol, estrogen), endogenous opioids, or endogenous circadian rhythms. Distinguishing endogenní from exogenní origins is important for understanding physiology, pharmacology, and disease mechanisms.

In geology, endogenní processes are internal Earth processes, including plate tectonics, volcanism, and mountain building, that shape the crust. Exogenní processes originate at the surface or from external energy sources, such as weathering, erosion, and sedimentation, and typically influence surface geology and landscapes.

In economics and econometrics, endogenní variables are determined within a model or system, while exogenní variables are imposed from outside the model. Endogenous growth theory emphasizes that factors such as knowledge, human capital, and institutions within an economy drive growth, whereas exogenous technological progress is treated as external in simpler models.

In other contexts, endogenní is used similarly to indicate internal origin, including historical references to endogenous mood disorders and the presence of endogenous compounds in pharmacology and toxicology. The term is commonly paired with exogenní to contrast internal versus external origins across disciplines.