Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What is the primary role of fibroblasts in wound healing?

1. Initiating inflammation

2. Producing collagen and extracellular matrix

3. Constricting blood vessels

4. Removing dead tissue

The correct answer is: Producing collagen and extracellular matrix

The primary role of fibroblasts in wound healing is centered around producing collagen and the extracellular matrix. Fibroblasts are specialized cells that become activated in response to injury, playing a crucial part in the proliferation phase of wound healing. As they migrate into the wound site, they synthesize collagen, which provides structural support to the healing tissue, and they also produce various components of the extracellular matrix, which is essential for providing a scaffold for tissue repair. This collagen deposition is vital for strength and stability in the newly formed tissue, ultimately facilitating the closure of the wound and contributing to the restoration of skin integrity. While inflammation initiates the healing process and roles like constricting blood vessels and removing dead tissue are also important in other phases or aspects of wound healing, fibroblasts are specifically linked to the production of the components that rebuild and strengthen the tissue at the wound site. This makes their role central to the repair of damaged tissues.