Skin: Healing by Fibrosis

Question 1

Outline the 4 steps of healing by fibrosis

Answer 1

1. Removal of debris by macrophages
2. Vascular granulation
3. Fibrovascular granulation and scar formation
4. Remodelling

Question 2

2. What 2 things happen in vascular granulation

Answer 2

1. Angiogenesis of capillary buds forming a network
2. macrophages secrete fibrogenic and angiogenic factors

Question 3

3. What 2 things happens in fibrovascular granulation and scar formation

Answer 3

1. fibroblasts lay down matrix
2. Scar is formed because amount of collagen laid down is increased to strengthen the tissue

Question 4

4. What 1 thing happens in remodelling

Answer 4

Over time the number of vessels is reduced and a pale scar remains

Question 5

5. What growth factors are involved in healing by fibrosis (give abbreviation and full name)

Answer 5

EGF - epidermal growth factor
FGF - fibroblast growth factor
PDGF - Platelet derived growth factor