'arthropathology' originates from Greek elements: 'arthro-' from Greek 'arthron' meaning 'joint', and 'pathology' from Greek 'pathos' meaning 'suffering, disease' combined with '‑logia' meaning 'study'.

'arthropathology' was formed in New Latin/modern medical English by combining the compound prefix 'arthro-' with 'pathology'; the components derive from ancient Greek ('arthron', 'pathos', 'logia') and the full compound came into use in medical literature in the 19th–20th centuries.

Initially formed to denote the study of joint diseases, its meaning has remained stable and still refers to the pathological study or findings related to joints.