What role do phagocytes play during the maturation phase of dermal wound healing?

Phagocytes play a crucial role during the maturation phase of dermal wound healing primarily by removing dead cells and debris from the wound site. This process is vital because it helps to clear out any necrotic tissue that can impede the healing process and also reduces the risk of infection. By engulfing and digesting dead cells and pathogens, phagocytes contribute to the transition from the inflammatory phase to the maturation phase, where tissue remodeling occurs.

Collagen fibers, which are important for providing strength and structure to the healing tissue, are formed by fibroblasts, not phagocytes. While the inflammatory response is important in the earlier stages of healing, its primary stimulation occurs before the maturation phase rather than during it. Similarly, scab formation is attributed primarily to the actions of platelets and other cells involved in the clotting process, rather than phagocytes. Therefore, the specific function of phagocytes in this context is their critical role in cellular cleanup, making the option about their role in removing dead cells the most accurate.