'apophysial' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apophysis', where 'apo-' meant 'away' and 'physis' meant 'growth' (to grow).

'apophysial' changed from the New Latin/Greek noun 'apophysis' and eventually became the modern English adjective 'apophysial' (forming an adjective with the suffix -al).

Initially, the root referred to 'an outgrowth or a growing away', but over time it evolved into the current adjectival sense of 'relating to such an outgrowth or protuberance (especially of bone)'.