Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

During which phase of wound healing does collagen formation primarily occur?

1. Inflammation phase

2. Proliferative phase

3. Maturation phase

4. Primary phase

The correct answer is: Proliferative phase

Collagen formation primarily occurs during the proliferative phase of wound healing. This phase is characterized by the formation of granulation tissue, which includes the proliferation of fibroblasts that synthesize collagen. This collagen provides strength and structure to the wound, allowing it to heal and regain integrity. As the proliferative phase progresses, epithelial cells migrate across the wound, and new blood vessels form, which are essential for delivering nutrients and oxygen, aiding in the healing process. The increased collagen deposition results in the stabilization and the reconstruction of the tissue. During the inflammation phase, the focus is on controlling bleeding and preventing infection rather than collagen synthesis. In the maturation phase, the collagen that was formed in the proliferative phase undergoes remodeling, which improves the strength and quality of the scar tissue but does not primarily focus on new collagen formation. The concept of a "primary phase" is less commonly recognized in wound healing terminology, further underscoring that the proliferative phase is the correct answer for collagen formation.