'aortectasia' originates from New Latin/medical coinage, specifically from Greek elements: 'aort-' from Greek 'aōrtē' meaning 'aorta' and 'ektasis' meaning 'extension' or 'dilation'.

'aortectasia' was formed by combining the Greek-derived root 'aort-' (relating to the aorta) with 'ektasis' (dilation/extension) in Neo‑Latin/medical terminology and entered English as the modern medical term 'aortectasia'.

Initially, the formation referred specifically to 'extension/dilation of the aorta', and this core meaning has been retained in current medical usage.