Which phase involves collagen realignment and scar maturation?

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!

Collagen realignment and scar maturation occur during the remodeling phase of healing. After the initial clotting, inflammation, and the proliferative buildup of granulation tissue, fibroblasts continue to lay down collagen, but in this phase the focus shifts to organizing that collagen into stronger, more orderly structures. Enzymes remodel the extracellular matrix, breaking down the disorganized collagen and reassembling it into thicker, parallel bundles aligned with the direction of mechanical stresses. This reorganization, along with cross-linking of fibers and a gradual reduction in vascularity and cellularity, increases the tensile strength of the tissue and leads to scar maturation. The final result is a gradual gain in strength over weeks to months, though the tissue does not usually reach the original strength.