'arytenoid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'arytenoides', where Greek 'arytain-' (from ἀρυτήρ/ἀρυτός) meant 'ladle' or 'bucket' (used for the shape).

'arytenoid' changed from Greek 'arytainoídes' to New Latin 'arytenoides' (or 'arytenoidēs' in Medieval Latin) and eventually became the modern English word 'arytenoid'.

Initially it meant 'ladle-shaped' (a descriptive shape term), but over time it came to denote the specific laryngeal cartilages now called 'arytenoids'.