What major event occurs during the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

During the inflammatory phase of wound healing, phagocytosis is a critical event that plays a vital role in the body's response to injury. This phase is characterized by the body's initial reaction to tissue damage and involves the recruitment of immune cells to the site of injury.

Phagocytosis refers to the process by which specialized immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and any foreign material present at the wound site. This is essential for preventing infection and preparing the wound bed for the subsequent healing phases. The inflammatory phase is pivotal because it sets the stage for healing by clearing away harmful substances, releasing cytokines that promote healing, and facilitating the transition to the proliferative phase.

In contrast, the other options involve processes that either occur later in the wound healing timeline or are not primary actions during the inflammatory phase. Collagen fibers tightening is more associated with the remodeling phase, granulation tissue formation peaks in the proliferative phase, and scabbing happens as the inflammation resolves and the wound begins to close. Thus, phagocytosis is indeed the major event that underscores the inflammatory phase.