Which phase marks the beginning of wound healing?

The inflammatory phase is the correct choice as it marks the beginning of the wound healing process. During this phase, the body's initial response to injury occurs, characterized by the activation of the immune system. This phase is essential because it helps to prevent infection and prepares the wound for healing.

In the inflammatory phase, blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss, followed by dilation, which increases blood flow to the area, leading to the classic signs of inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, and pain. White blood cells, especially neutrophils and macrophages, are recruited to the site of injury to clear away debris and pathogens. This cleaning process is crucial for creating an environment that supports the subsequent repair processes.

Following the inflammatory phase, the repair phase occurs where new tissue is formed. The maturation phase, on the other hand, is the final stage of healing, where the newly formed tissue strengthens and remodels over time. While debridement may refer to the removal of dead or infected tissue, it typically occurs within the inflammatory phase and does not represent a distinct phase of healing on its own. Therefore, the inflammatory phase is fundamentally important as it sets the stage for the entire wound healing process.