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Oral Surgery · single question

What is the FIRST tissue response after a scalpel incision is made?

  1. Fibroblast proliferation
  2. Vasoconstriction of the transected capillaries
  3. Neutrophil migration into the wound
  4. Epithelial cell migration across the defect
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Correct answer: B. Vasoconstriction of the transected capillaries

  • A. ❌ Fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition belong to the proliferative phase, from roughly day 3 onward.
  • B. ✅ CORRECT — The immediate response is VASOCONSTRICTION, lasting seconds to minutes, which limits blood loss while platelets aggregate and the coagulation cascade forms a fibrin clot. Vasodilation with increased permeability follows shortly after, producing the classic inflammatory signs.
  • C. ❌ Neutrophils arrive within hours, peaking at 24–48 hours — well after the vascular response.
  • D. ❌ Epithelial migration begins within about 24 hours and bridges an approximated incision in 24–48 hours.

Note: Healing phases: hemostasis (immediate) → inflammation (days 1–3) → proliferation (days 3–21) → remodeling (weeks to a year+).

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