What occurs during the proliferative/reparative phases?

Prepare for the Tissue Injury, Healing, and Pain Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for the exam!

During the proliferative/reparative phase the tissue is rebuilt to replace damaged structures. Fibroblasts migrate into the wound and begin laying down extracellular matrix, while endothelial cells form new blood vessels to supply the developing tissue. This period also involves angiogenesis, which creates granulation tissue and brings in nutrients and inflammatory mediators needed for healing. Fibroblasts synthesize collagen, initially depositing type III collagen to form a provisional scar that stabilizes the region. Over time, this scaffold is remodeled and replaced by stronger type I collagen as the wound strengthens. Because these processes—cell migration, new vessel formation, and collagen deposition with a provisional type III collagen matrix—all occur in the proliferative/reparative phase, identifying all of them together best captures what happens during this phase.