'arthrotome' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'arthron' and 'tomē', where 'arthron' meant 'joint' and 'tomē' meant 'a cutting or incision'.

'arthrotome' was formed in New Latin/medical terminology by combining Greek roots 'arthro-' + '-tome' and then entered English as a technical surgical term without major alteration.

Initially it referred to a cutting instrument related to joints, and this meaning has remained consistent in medical usage.