What happens to epidermal cells during the migratory phase of dermal wound healing?

During the migratory phase of dermal wound healing, epidermal cells play a crucial role as they migrate across the wound area. This phase is essential for restoring the integrity of the skin, as the migration of these cells closes the wound by covering the exposed area and facilitating healing.

As the epidermal cells move into the wound site, they help to re-establish the epithelial barrier by proliferating and moving laterally across the wound surface. This process is critical in preventing infection and fluid loss, as well as initiating further healing responses within the deeper layers of the dermis.

The other responses, while related to the healing process, do not accurately describe the primary function of epidermal cells during this specific phase. Producing collagenous fibers and maturing or healing the wound are functions that either occur later in the healing process or involve other types of cells, such as fibroblasts. The removal of cells by phagocytes, on the other hand, pertains to the inflammatory phase where debris and pathogens need to be cleared, rather than the migratory actions of epidermal cells.