Antimicrobial: The property pertaining to any of several categories of agents that are intended to combat or to be toxic to pathogenic organisms, including antibacterials, antiprotozoals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.

Bioburden: Bioburden refers to the number of microorganisms in a wound, with a high bioburden suggesting a risk of delayed wound healing.

Biofilm: A complex microbial community containing bacteria and fungi. The microorganisms synthesize and secrete a protective matrix that attaches the biofilm firmly to a living or non-living surface. Biofilm contributes to underlying wound infection, chronic inflammation, and delay in healing.

Colonization: Microorganism replication on the surface of a wound without host immune response or invasion into wound tissue.

Debridement: The procedural act of removing non-viable tissue, along with any debris, from the wound. Multiple debridement methods exist, including autolytic, biologic, hydrosurgical, mechanical, sharp, surgical, and ultrasonic. 

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS): Produced by biofilm, EPS is composed of biopolymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, and may include extracellular DNA (e-DNA). This substance creates a habitat that shelters the biofilm from harsh environmental conditions.

Hemostasis: The first stage of wound healing, this physiological process is focused on stopping bleeding at the site of an injury while maintaining normal blood flow through the rest of the body. 

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites with an associated host reaction. Signs of infection may include redness, tenderness, warmth, odor, erythema, swelling, fever, pain, and increased white blood cells.

Inflammatory phase: The phase of wound healing following hemostasis, the inflammatory phase is meant to control bleeding and prevent infection by sending repair cells to the wound site to remove debris and bacteria. This process may cause swelling, heat, pain, and redness in the wound area. This is the phase of wound healing where stalling happens, causing chronic or hard-to-heal wounds.

Planktonic bacteria: Planktonic bacteria are free-floating bacteria that are continuously shed in fully mature biofilms. These bacteria can disperse and attach to other parts of the wound bed or to other wounds, thus forming new biofilm colonies.

Proliferative phase: The proliferative phase of wound healing is the third stage, in which the wound is rebuilt with new tissue made up of collagen and extracellular matrix. In this phase, the wound contracts as new tissues are built, and a new network of blood vessels must be constructed so that the granulation tissue can be healthy and receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients. 

Quorum sensing: Cell-to-cell communications within biofilm. This messaging allows bacteria within the biofilm to coordinate activities to respond to environmental conditions.

Remodeling phase: Also known as the maturation phase, this final phase in wound healing is when collagen is remodeled from type III to type I and the wound fully closes.

Stalled wound: Wounds that have failed to progress through the stages of healing as expected, typically stalling in the inflammatory phase.

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