Inflammatory Phase Wound Healing MCQ – Predominant Cells at 48 Hours
📘 Theme: Plastic Surgery – Wound Healing (NEET SS / INI-CET High Yield)
Clinical Wound Healing MCQ
A 28-year-old male presents 48 hours after a clean surgical incision. The wound shows mild erythema without pus. Which of the following cells is predominantly responsible for the inflammatory phase at this stage?
A. Monocytes
B. Lymphocytes
C. Fibroblasts
D. Platelets
Answer: A. Monocytes (macrophages)
Explanation
During the inflammatory phase of wound healing (24–72 hours), monocytes migrate into the wound and differentiate into macrophages. These cells are the key regulators of healing, performing phagocytosis and releasing growth factors that initiate the proliferative phase.
Why other options are incorrect
- Lymphocytes: Seen in later or chronic inflammatory phases, not dominant early.
- Fibroblasts: Key cells of proliferative phase responsible for collagen deposition.
- Platelets: Important in immediate hemostasis phase (first few hours only).
High-yield teaching points
- 0–24 hrs: Neutrophils dominate.
- 24–72 hrs: Macrophages (from monocytes) dominate ⭐
- Macrophages are the “director cells” of wound healing.
- They regulate angiogenesis, fibroblast activation, and collagen synthesis.