'anteroventral' originates from Neo-Latin/modern anatomical formation, combining the prefix 'antero-' (from Latin 'anterior') and 'ventral' (from Latin 'venter'), where 'antero-' meant 'before, in front' and 'venter' meant 'belly'.

'anteroventral' was formed in modern anatomical terminology by joining 'antero-' + 'ventral'; 'ventral' derives from Latin 'venter' (through Medieval/Scientific Latin forms such as 'ventralis'), while 'anterior' comes from Latin 'anterior' and entered scientific usage via Medieval and New Latin.

Initially it meant 'located toward the front or belly side,' and over time it has retained this specific anatomical meaning in modern usage.