The combining form agglutin/o refers to clumping or sticking together. It frequently appears in medical terminology, particularly in fields like immunology and hematology. For instance, agglutination describes the process of cells or other particles clumping together, often due to an antigen-antibody reaction.
Understanding this combining form enhances the comprehension of medical terms related to aggregation and adhesion. It is crucial for accurately interpreting diagnostic tests and understanding disease processes that involve clumping, such as certain types of anemia and infectious diseases. Its historical significance stems from early immunological research where the observation of clumping reactions was key to understanding blood types and immune responses.