A quick and early response to an injury. Marked by brief vasoconstriction (minimize blood loss) followed by vasodilation and increased vascular permeability to dilute the toxins and cause phagocytic influx at the infection/injury site. This increase in phagocytes and even the activation of the complement system further promotes the inflammatory response. During inflammation, capillaries remain dilated (causing edema), more neutrophils are recruited, and pus forms. Eventually, pus clears out and tissue begins to repair.

(Photo credits in References)