'aortotomy' originates from New Latin/modern medical formation, specifically from Greek 'aortē' (αορτή) and 'tomē' (τομή), where 'aortē' meant 'aorta' and 'tomē' meant 'cutting' or 'incision'.

'aortotomy' developed as a Neo-Latin/medical term (compare New Latin 'aortotomia') formed from Greek elements and was adopted into English as 'aortotomy'.

Initially, it meant 'an incision into the aorta', and over time this clinical/surgical meaning has remained essentially the same.