Which cell type is primarily involved in the initial inflammatory response during wound healing?

• A. Neutrophils
• B. Lymphocytes
• C. Erythrocytes
• D. Platelets

Answer: (A)

Neutrophils are the first responders in acute wound inflammation. They rush from blood vessels to the injury site in minutes to hours, attracted by signals from damaged tissue and platelets. Once there, they rapidly engulf bacteria and debris, and release antimicrobial enzymes and reactive oxygen species to control infection and start clearing the wound. Their rapid arrival and phagocytic activity define the initial inflammatory phase of healing. Platelets are involved early to form a clot and release factors that support inflammation and healing, but they are not the primary inflammatory cells. Erythrocytes (red blood cells) don’t participate in the inflammatory response, and lymphocytes are part of the adaptive immune response that comes later.