In wound healing, what phase follows the inflammatory phase?

In wound healing, the phase that follows the inflammatory phase is the proliferative phase. This phase is characterized by processes that lead to the formation of new tissue and the development of granulation tissue, which is essential for wound closure and healing. During this phase, several key biological processes occur, including angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), collagen synthesis, and epithelialization (the re-epithelialization of the wound surface).

In the proliferative phase, fibroblasts play a crucial role, as they produce collagen and extracellular matrix components that provide structural integrity to the healing wound. The growth factors released during the inflammatory phase stimulate the fibroblasts and other cells, guiding the transition into the proliferative phase where tissue repair and regeneration take place.

The other phases, while important to the overall wound healing process, do not directly follow the inflammatory phase. The hemostasis phase occurs first to stop bleeding, the maturation phase follows the proliferative phase, and although the regenerative phase is sometimes referred to in wound healing, it is typically synonymous with the proliferative phase or can indicate ongoing healing processes. Therefore, identifying the proliferative phase accurately reflects the continuum of wound healing after the inflammatory response.