SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 414
Pathology → General
Classification
Question
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A large open wound is healing by secondary intention. The surface area of the defect progressively decreases despite the absence of primary approximation. Which combination contributes most directly to this process?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Epidermal mitosis and neutrophil pavementing
B
Shortening of newly formed collagen and myofibroblast activity
C
Elastin degradation and macrophage apoptosis
D
Fibrin deposition and endothelial vasoconstriction
E
Keratinisation and lymphocyte margination
Explanation
Wound contraction is particularly important in secondary healing. Contraction results from shortening of newly formed collagen together with the activity of myofibroblasts.
Option Validity
A) Epidermal regeneration contributes to surface coverage but does not account for the principal mechanism of wound contraction described.
C) These processes are not identified as the mechanism responsible for contraction of a healing wound.
D) Fibrin participates in early repair, but endothelial vasoconstriction does not explain progressive wound contraction.
E) Neither keratinisation nor lymphocyte margination is the principal mechanism reducing the size of the wound defect.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 5: Pathology. General Pathology, pp.161–175.