During the inflammation stage of healing, edema is primarily a natural result of which process?

• A. Increased blood flow
• B. Decreased capillary permeability
• C. Dehydration
• D. Reduced lymph flow

Answer: (A)

In the inflammation stage, edema arises because the vessels first dilate to bring more blood to the injured area. This increased blood flow raises capillary hydrostatic pressure, pushing fluid out of the vessels into the surrounding tissue. The area swells as fluid accumulates, which is a normal part of the inflammatory process designed to deliver immune cells and proteins where they’re needed. The other options don’t fit this primary driver: reducing capillary permeability would limit fluid leakage, dehydration would not produce swelling, and while impaired lymph drainage can cause fluid buildup in other contexts, the acute edema of inflammation mainly comes from the vascular response that increases blood flow and leakage to the tissue.