Final answer:
The redness of the skin caused by the dilation of superficial blood vessels during an inflammatory response is called: c) erythema.
Step-by-step explanation:
The redness of the skin caused by the dilation of superficial blood vessels is known as erythema. This condition is often a response to inflammation, indicating an increase in blood flow to the affected area to promote healing. In the context of the given options—suppuration, inflammation, erythema, and hypoxia—the correct answer is C. Erythema.
When the skin or other tissues are damaged, the body's second line of defense includes an inflammatory response, releasing chemicals that cause nearby blood vessels to dilate. This process results in increased blood flow, which contributes to redness and warmth, a phenomenon referred to as erythema. This is distinct from suppuration, which involves the production of pus, and hypoxia, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.