'retroversion' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'retroversio', where 'retro-' meant 'backward' and 'vertere' meant 'to turn'.

'retroversion' developed from the Late Latin 'retroversio' and entered English usage maintaining the sense of 'turning back' (recorded in modern English from post-medieval usage).

Initially, it meant 'the act of turning back'; over time it retained that general sense and acquired specialized anatomical meanings such as 'backward displacement or tilt of an organ'.