Final answer:
A physician would refer to a scar left after the healing of a wound as a cicatrix. Scars are primarily composed of collagen, leading to a tissue that is different in structure from normal skin. Excessive collagen formation can result in a raised keloid scar, while atrophic scars are typically sunken.
Step-by-step explanation:
A physician may refer to a scar left after the healing of a wound as a cicatrix. The scar tissue that forms is rich in collagen, which is produced by fibroblasts during the healing process. This tissue typically exhibits a basket-weave pattern of collagen fibers but does not regenerate the original skin structure or its accessory structures, such as hair follicles, sweat glands, or sebaceous glands. When the wound healing process overproduces collagen, it can lead to the formation of a raised scar known as a keloid. Conversely, atrophic scars are those that appear sunken, such as those from acne or chickenpox.
During the healing process, if there is a larger wound, a secondary union may be required where the wound edges are pulled together, often with the aid of sutures, to promote better healing and minimize the chance of a disfiguring scar.