New collagen forms scar tissue that can attain up to 90% of original tissue strength by week 6. This describes which wound healing phase?

• A. 1st phase
• B. 2nd phase
• C. 3rd phase
• D. 4th phase

Answer: (D)

This describes the remodeling (maturation) phase of wound healing. After the initial inflammatory and proliferative activities lay down new tissue and collagen, the scar tissue is reorganized and cross-linked during remodeling. This process increases tensile strength over time as collagen is reorganized and gradually shifts from weaker to stronger types, so by about week 6 the scar can approach a large fraction of the original tissue’s strength. The earlier phases focus on stopping bleeding, clearing debris, and laying down new matrix, but the gain in tensile strength to near-original levels happens during remodeling.