Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Inheritance, multifactorial
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Inheritance, multifactorial: A type of hereditary pattern seen when there is more than one genetic factor and, sometimes, environmental influence. Many common traits and many common diseases are multifactorial. Skin color, for example, is multifactorially determined, as is intelligence. Type 2 diabetes is multifactorial because it is due to inherited (genetic) factors but may also require environmental factors, such as obesity, to develop.