Relating to or affecting the body as a whole or multiple organs, tissues, or body systems rather than being confined to one localized area.
Systemic is used when a process or condition extends beyond a single local site. For example, a systemic infection can affect the body beyond the location where the infectious agent initially entered, while a systemic medicine reaches the circulation and can act throughout the body.
Systemic does not necessarily mean that every organ or body system is affected. It simply indicates a distribution that is broader than a localized process.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Localized: restricted to a particular area, organ, or region.
- Systemic disease: a disease that affects multiple organs, tissues, or body systems; “systemic” itself is a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis.
SEE ALSO
