'anterodorsal' originates from modern English formation combining the prefix 'antero-' (from Latin 'ante', meaning 'before' or 'in front of') and 'dorsal' (from Latin 'dorsum', meaning 'back').

'anterodorsal' developed as a technical anatomical compound (often written earlier as 'antero-dorsal') in Neo-Latin/English scientific usage and eventually consolidated into the single-word form 'anterodorsal'.

Initially formed simply by joining the elements meaning 'in front' and 'back', its meaning has remained consistent: indicating a position toward the anterior and dorsal surfaces.