What is the term used to describe swelling due to fluid accumulation during inflammation?

The correct term for the swelling caused by fluid accumulation during inflammation is edema. In the context of the body's response to injury or infection, inflammation is characterized by increased blood flow and vascular permeability, which allows fluids, proteins, and white blood cells to escape from the blood vessels and enter the surrounding tissues. This accumulation of fluid leads to the characteristic swelling seen at the site of inflammation, which is referred to as edema.

While inflammation encompasses the entire process including redness, heat, pain, and swelling in response to harmful stimuli, edema specifically focuses on the fluid aspect of this response. This is a critical physiological mechanism aimed at isolating the affected area and facilitating healing by bringing immune cells and nutrients to the site.

Other terms such as contusion, which refers to a bruise caused by trauma and not specifically tied to fluid accumulation in the context of inflammation, and necrosis, which indicates tissue death, are distinct from edema. Therefore, edema is the most accurate term to describe the swelling due to fluid accumulation associated with inflammation.