During the maturation phase of wound healing, which of the following occurs?

During the maturation phase of wound healing, a pivotal process is the reorganization of collagen fibers. This phase can last for months to years after the initial injury and is critical for the strength and durability of the healed tissue.

During maturation, collagen that was initially laid down in a disorganized manner is realigned, cross-linked, and remodeled, resulting in a more structured and stronger scar tissue. This reshaping of collagen fibers helps improve the tensile strength of the wound, allowing it to better withstand stress and pressure.

While immediate closure of the wound and healing of superficial layers are important in earlier phases of healing, they do not occur during the maturation phase. The formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) typically occurs in the proliferative phase rather than in the maturation phase. This makes the reorganization of collagen fibers the correct focus for the maturation phase in wound healing.