'retroprostatic' originates from Neo-Latin/modern medical formation combining the prefix 'retro-' from Latin (meaning 'back' or 'behind') and 'prostatic' from 'prostate' (from Greek 'prostates', literally 'one who stands before', used for the prostate gland).

'retro-' (Latin) + 'prostatic' (from 'prostate', via Greek 'prostates' and Latin/Middle French use in anatomy) were combined in medical/Neo-Latin usage to form terms describing anatomical relations; 'retroprostatic' emerged as a technical descriptor in anatomical and clinical English.

Initially formed to mean 'behind the prostate' as a literal anatomical descriptor; this specific anatomical sense has been retained in medical usage.