Which term describes the healing response characterized by redness and swelling?

The healing response characterized by redness and swelling is referred to as inflammation. Inflammation is a biological response that occurs when tissues are injured or infected. It serves as a protective mechanism, helping the body to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out dead cells, and establish the conditions necessary for tissue repair.

When inflammation occurs, various chemical signals are released by damaged cells, which increases blood flow to the affected area. This leads to the classic signs of inflammation: redness (due to increased blood flow), swelling (due to the accumulation of fluid), heat, and pain. The redness is a result of vasodilation, while swelling results from the leakage of fluid and immune cells into the surrounding tissues.

Other terms, such as allergy, infection, and necrosis, refer to different processes. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a harmless substance, while an infection is caused by the invasion of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Necrosis refers to the death of cells in living tissue, usually due to factors like lack of blood flow or infection, rather than the protective and restorative nature of inflammation. Thus, inflammation is the most accurate term to describe the healing response characterized by redness and swelling.