Wiktionary
a. 1 (context of an organism English) Of uncertain origin, either introduced or native to its area. 2 (context of epilepsy English) presume but not proven to be caused by an abnormality in a particular part of the brain (contrasts with symptomatic and idiopathic). 3 (context of a disease English) Of uncertain cause.
Wikipedia
Cryptogenic refers to something of obscure or unknown origin. It is commonly used to refer to:
- Cryptogenic disease
- Cryptogenic species
de:Kryptogen
Usage examples of "cryptogenic".
First, an upper *To an outsider, the tendency among physicians to call certain diseases cryptogenic or idiopathic—and then to discuss them as if they were well-defined, understood clinical entities—may be perplexing.
For one thing, it excludes diagnoses: anyone who speaks of cryptogenic cirrhosis has excluded alcoholic or post-hepatitic cirrhosis.