'periapical' originates from Greek and Latin elements, specifically the Greek prefix 'peri-' and the Latin word 'apex' via the adjective 'apical', where 'peri-' meant 'around' and 'apex' meant 'tip' or 'summit'.

'periapical' developed as a compound in New Latin/medical English from 'peri-' + 'apical' (from Latin 'apicalis', from 'apex'). The modern English medical adjective 'periapical' arose by combining these elements to mean 'around the apex'.

Initially the roots meant 'around' + 'tip'; over time the combined form became a specialized medical/dental term meaning 'around the tip of a tooth root' (i.e., referring to lesions or anatomy at the root apex).