'aneurilemmal' originates from modern medical formation combining the elements 'aneurysm' (from Greek 'aneurysma') and 'lemma' (Greek 'lēmma'), where 'aneurysma' meant 'a widening' and 'lēmma' meant 'husk' or 'membrane'.

'aneurysm' came into English via Latin (e.g. Medieval Latin 'aneurisma') from Greek 'aneurysma'; 'lemma' comes directly from Greek 'lēmma' meaning 'husk, rind, membrane'. These roots were combined in modern medical Latin/English to form 'aneurilemma' (the aneurysm membrane) and the adjective 'aneurilemmal'.

Initially the compound referred specifically to the physical 'membrane or sac of an aneurysm'; in contemporary usage it is used adjectivally to describe structures or changes 'relating to that membrane'.