Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What cells are responsible for creating the new extracellular matrix and collagen structures during the proliferative phase of wound healing?

1. Keratinocytes

2. Macrophages

3. Fibroblasts

4. Endothelial cells

The correct answer is: Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are the cells responsible for creating the new extracellular matrix and collagen structures during the proliferative phase of wound healing. This phase is characterized by the transition from the hemostatic and inflammatory phases to tissue formation and repair. Fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing by synthesizing collagen and various extracellular matrix components, which provide structural integrity and support to the newly forming tissue. In this phase, fibroblasts migrate to the wound site and begin to proliferate, enabling the formation of granulation tissue that fills in the wound defect. This collagen deposition is vital for restoring the mechanical strength of the skin and aiding in the closure of the wound. Other cell types mentioned, such as keratinocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells, contribute to the wound healing process but do not primarily synthesize collagen. Keratinocytes are important for re-epithelialization, macrophages are involved in the inflammatory response and debris clearance, and endothelial cells are key players in angiogenesis, but it is the fibroblasts that specifically produce the collagen matrix essential for repairing tissues in this phase.