'aortoclasis' originates from New Latin/medical Latin, ultimately from Greek, specifically the elements 'aortē' meaning 'aorta' and 'klasis' meaning 'breaking'.

'aortoclasis' was formed in New Latin/medical terminology by combining the Greek components 'aortē' and 'klasis' and was adopted into modern English medical usage with the same form.

Initially it meant 'breaking of the aorta' in the literal Greek sense, and this direct meaning has been retained in medical usage.