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Oligogenic Inheritance

Meaning

Oligogenic Inheritance describes a pattern of genetic transmission where a complex trait or clinical disease phenotype is determined by the combined, cumulative effects of a small number of distinct genes, typically involving two to four loci. This mode of inheritance occupies an intermediate position between simple monogenic (single gene) disorders and highly complex polygenic traits. Clinically, oligogenic disorders often exhibit a more variable and less predictable presentation and severity compared to classic Mendelian diseases.