During which stage of wound healing does the formation of new tissue occur?

The stage of wound healing during which the formation of new tissue occurs is during the proliferation stage. This phase typically follows the inflammatory stage and is characterized by the development of granulation tissue, which consists of new blood vessels, collagen, and various types of cells that are essential for wound healing.

During proliferation, fibroblasts play a crucial role as they synthesize collagen and extracellular matrix that provide support for new tissue. Additionally, epithelial cells migrate across the wound surface, contributing to re-epithelialization, which helps restore the integrity of the skin or mucous membrane. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is also a significant process in this phase, ensuring that the newly formed tissue receives adequate oxygen and nutrients.

While hemostasis involves stopping the bleeding through clot formation and inflammation focuses on cleaning the wound and fighting any infection, the proliferation stage is distinct because it is dedicated to building up the new tissue necessary for healing. Similarly, the remodeling stage occurs later and is focused on the maturation and reorganization of collagen fibers to improve the strength and integrity of the healed tissue, but it does not involve the initial formation of new tissue.