'arteriorrhexis' originates from New Latin/medical formation, specifically from Greek elements: 'artēria' meaning 'artery' and 'rhēxis' meaning 'rupture'.

'arteriorrhexis' was formed in modern medical English from the combining form 'arterio-' (from Latin 'arteria', ultimately from Greek 'artēria') plus '-rrhexis' (from Greek 'rhēxis'), entering English via New Latin medical terminology.

Initially it meant 'breaking or bursting of an artery' and over time has retained this medical meaning of 'rupture of an artery'.