arvelig

Arvelig is an adjective used in several Scandinavian languages, notably Danish and Norwegian, to describe traits or conditions that are transmitted from parents to offspring through genes. In English, the closest terms are hereditary or inherited.

Arvelig traits are defined by their genetic basis, though environmental factors can influence their expression. In genetics, inheritance patterns are commonly described as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, or mitochondrial (maternal) inheritance. Some arvelige traits or disorders show incomplete penetrance (not everyone with the pathogenic variant develops the condition) or variable expressivity (the severity or features vary among individuals).

Examples of arvelige conditions include autosomal recessive diseases such as cystic fibrosis and autosomal dominant disorders such as Huntington disease. X-linked conditions, like red-green color blindness, affect mostly males but can be passed through carrier females. Mitochondrial disorders are inherited through the mother. Many arvelige traits are single-gene disorders, though most human traits are polygenic and influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

Diagnosis and management often involve family history assessment, genetic testing to identify pathogenic variants, and genetic counseling to estimate risk for relatives and future offspring. Predictive or presymptomatic testing may be offered for certain well-characterized conditions, enabling informed decisions and appropriate surveillance or interventions.

Etymology: arvelig is used in Danish and Norwegian to denote heritable characteristics and corresponds to the English term hereditary.