When an injured area returns to normal after inflammation, what is this process called?

The process by which an injured area returns to normal after inflammation is called resolution. This term refers specifically to the restoration of tissue and the cessation of the inflammatory response, which can involve the removal of inflammatory cells, the healing of damaged tissues, and the restoration of normal function. During resolution, the body works to restore homeostasis and eliminate any debris resulting from the inflammatory process.

Regeneration, while similar in that it refers to the recovery of tissue, more specifically relates to the process where lost or damaged cells are replaced by new cells that create the same type of tissue. Remission typically refers to a decrease or disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease, commonly used in the context of chronic illness rather than the acute inflammatory response. Rehabilitation involves the process of restoring skills and functioning after an injury, which is broader and encompasses more than just the inflammatory resolution phase.