In which phase of the healing process do new tissue begin to form?

The proliferative phase is the stage of the healing process during which new tissue starts to form. This phase typically follows the inflammatory response and is characterized by the proliferation of cells necessary for tissue repair, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. These cells work to create new extracellular matrix and blood vessels, facilitating the formation of granulation tissue.

During the proliferative phase, collagen deposition occurs, which is essential for providing strength and structure to the healing tissue. The angiogenesis, or formation of new blood vessels, is also a critical component during this phase, ensuring that the newly formed tissue has adequate blood supply, which is vital for its survival and continued growth.

The inflammatory phase precedes the proliferative phase and is primarily focused on the initial response to injury, characterized by inflammation and the activation of immune cells. The migratory phase involves the movement of cells into the wound site but does not yet include the extensive tissue formation characteristic of the proliferative phase. The remodeling phase comes later in the healing process, where the new tissue matures and remodels to strengthen and optimize the healed area, but significant new tissue formation has already taken place by then.