'intratracheal' originates from Latin and Greek elements, specifically Latin 'intra' meaning 'within' and Greek 'trachēia' (τραχεία) meaning 'rough' (used for the windpipe).

'intratracheal' was formed in modern medical English by combining Latin 'intra' and the adjective 'tracheal' (from Latin 'trachea', from Greek 'trachēia'); the compound emerged in 19th–20th century medical literature to describe procedures or positions related to the trachea.

Initially the components meant 'within' and (from Greek) 'rough/windpipe'; over time the compound came to specifically denote 'located in or administered into the trachea'.