'apodeme' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'apodema', which itself comes from Ancient Greek 'apodēma' meaning 'something fastened on', where the prefix 'apo-' meant 'away, off' and the root 'dēma' (from 'dein' / related stem) meant 'that which is bound or fastened'.

'apodema' (New Latin) was adopted into English scientific usage in the 19th century as 'apodeme', passing through Modern Latin and zoological Latin usage.

Initially it referred generally to a 'fastened-on' or attached structure; over time the term narrowed in zoological anatomy to mean specifically an internal exoskeletal ridge used for muscle attachment in arthropods.