During the remodeling phase of wound healing, which process is most characteristic?

• A. New tissue forms
• B. Clot formation
• C. Inflammation peaks
• D. Fibroblast migration and collagen reorganization

Answer: (D)

In the remodeling phase, the main activity is the maturation and realignment of the scar tissue. Fibroblasts continue to lay down collagen, but the key change is the realignment and cross-linking of collagen fibers, with a shift from weaker type III collagen toward stronger type I collagen. This reorganization along lines of mechanical stress gradually increases tensile strength and makes the scar more organized and less vascular over time. The other phases involve earlier events: clot formation happens early for hemostasis, inflammation peaks during the inflammatory phase, and substantial new tissue formation occurs during the proliferative phase with granulation tissue. So, the hallmark of remodeling is fibroblast-driven collagen reorganization and scar maturation, not the initial tissue formation or inflammation.