What term describes the condition where capillaries leak plasma into an injured area?

The condition in which capillaries leak plasma into an injured area is referred to as swelling or edema. When an injury occurs, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the affected area, and the permeability of the capillaries increases. This allows proteins and fluid from the bloodstream to escape into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling. Edema is characterized by the accumulation of this excess fluid, and it is a common response to injury, signaling that the body is attempting to heal.

In contrast, infection refers to the invasion of pathogens, which is different from the physiological response described. Inflammation involves a broader range of responses, including blood vessel dilation and the attraction of immune cells to the area, but the specific action of plasma leakage aligns more closely with the terms swelling or edema. An allergic reaction involves an immune response to a substance, causing a different set of symptoms and responses. Thus, the term swelling or edema is the most accurate description of the condition resulting from capillary leakage following an injury.