Wound healing

Abstract This chapter reviews for the reader the principles and stages of wound healing, including haemostasis, inflammation, reconstruction, epithelialization, and maturation. It outlines the mechanisms, timelines, and cellular processes involved, as well as factors that impair healing. The healing of specific tissues—skin, tendon, peripheral nerve, bone, myocardium, and brain—is described, highlighting differences in regenerative capacity, structural recovery, and functional outcomes. Practical considerations such as wound type, timing of closure, contamination, and mechanical forces on healing tissue are discussed. All of the information maps to the RCEM Basic Sciences syllabus, making it relevant to Emergency Medicine practice and the examination.