What it means
The opposite of extrinsic, which means coming from outside. Intrinsic factor is a protein made in the stomach; the intrinsic pathway is one of the routes of blood clotting; intrinsic motivation is the drive to do something for its own sake, such as a client wanting to walk again to play with grandchildren.
Related terms
intrinsic factor
A protein made by the stomach lining that the body needs in order to absorb vitamin B12 from food.