During which physiological process does scar tissue form?

Scar tissue formation primarily occurs during the remodeling phase of healing. After an injury, the body goes through several stages of healing: inflammation, proliferation (or healing), and remodeling.

During the remodeling phase, which can last for months to years, the collagen that was deposited in the earlier healing stages is reorganized and remodeled. This process helps to increase the tensile strength of the tissue. The scar tissue that forms is often different in texture and strength compared to the original tissue, primarily consisting of collagen fibers that are aligned differently than in normal tissue.

While inflammation and healing are crucial phases that occur before remodeling, they do not involve the actual formation of scar tissue. Inflammation is the body's immediate response to injury, aimed at preventing infection and initiating healing. Recovery is a broader term that may encompass the entire healing process, but it does not specifically refer to scar tissue formation. Thus, understanding that scar tissue specifically forms during the remodeling phase clarifies why this option is the correct answer.