'pathoanatomical' originates from Greek combining forms: 'patho-' (from Greek 'pathos', meaning 'suffering, disease') + 'anatomical' (from Greek 'anatome', meaning 'cutting up, dissection'), formed via Modern Latin/Neo-Latin medical usage.

'pathoanatomical' developed in modern medical English by combining the prefix 'patho-' (used in 'pathology') with 'anatomical' (from 'anatomy'). Earlier technical usage appeared as 'patho-anatomy' or 'pathoanatomy' in 19th-century medical literature, later stabilizing as the adjective 'pathoanatomical'.

Initially used to refer to the study or description of anatomical changes caused by disease ('patho-anatomy'); over time it came to be used adjectivally to describe features or findings that are the result of disease-related anatomical changes.