'pathomorphologic' originates from Greek combining forms, specifically 'patho-' from Greek 'pathos' where 'pathos' meant 'suffering, disease', 'morpho-' from Greek 'morphē' where 'morphē' meant 'form', and '-logic' ultimately from Greek 'logos' where 'logos' meant 'word, study' (via Neo-Latin/Modern formation).

'pathomorphologic' was formed in New Latin/modern scientific English from Greek roots 'pathos' + 'morphē' + 'logos', passing through Neo-Latin formations such as 'pathomorphologicus' and then entering English usage as the adjective 'pathomorphologic' (and variant 'pathomorphological').

Initially it meant 'pertaining to the form changes caused by disease'; over time the term has remained specialized and is used in modern medical and pathological contexts with essentially the same meaning.