'antihelix' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'antihelix', where 'anti-' meant 'opposite' and 'helix' (from Greek 'helix') meant 'spiral' or 'coil'.

'antihelix' was formed in New Latin by combining the prefix 'anti-' with the anatomical term 'helix' (from Greek 'helix') and was adopted into English anatomical vocabulary in modern times as 'antihelix'.

Initially, it meant 'opposite or corresponding spiral/fold', but over time it evolved into its current, specific anatomical meaning of 'the inner curved ridge of cartilage in the external ear'.