Which phase of wound healing is primarily associated with tissue proliferation and new collagen formation?

• A. Inflammatory
• B. Proliferative
• C. Maturation
• D. Hemostasis

Answer: (B)

The phase where tissue grows back and new collagen starts to form is the proliferative phase. After the initial clotting and cleanup of debris in the inflammatory stage, fibroblasts and endothelial cells move into the wound bed. Fibroblasts lay down extracellular matrix, including collagen, while new blood vessels form to supply the healing tissue. This creates granulation tissue, supports epithelial cells as they cover the wound, and increases tissue strength incrementally through collagen deposition. The collagen laid down at this stage is mainly type III and is later remodeled into stronger type I during the maturation phase. The maturation phase, by contrast, focuses on remodeling and increasing tensile strength rather than ongoing tissue proliferation. Hemostasis is the initial clotting response, and the inflammatory phase centers on removing debris and fighting infection.