Name the four stages of wound healing.

• A. Hemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation, Remodeling
• B. Inflammation, Hemostasis, Remodeling, Proliferation
• C. Proliferation, Inflammation, Hemostasis, Remodeling
• D. Hemostasis, Proliferation, Inflammation, Remodeling

Answer: (A)

The wound-healing process follows a specific sequence of four overlapping phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.

Right after injury, hemostasis acts to stop bleeding through vasoconstriction, platelet plug formation, and coagulation. This creates a stable foundation for repair and helps prevent further blood loss. Next comes inflammation, where immune cells like neutrophils and later macrophages migrate to the area to clear debris and fight infection, preparing the wound environment for repair. The proliferation phase then builds new tissue: fibroblasts lay down collagen, new blood vessels form (angiogenesis), granulation tissue fills the wound, and epithelial cells migrate to re-cover the surface. Finally, remodeling, or maturation, reorganizes collagen and strengthens the tissue, gradually reducing cellularity and vascularity over time.

If events were out of order—for example, trying to repair tissue before bleeding is controlled or before debris and bacteria are cleared—the healing process would be less efficient or fail. This standard sequence reflects how each phase sets the stage for the next, culminating in a graded return toward tissue strength.