What term is used for the thick liquid that collects around an infection site?

The term for the thick liquid that accumulates around an infection site is exudate. Exudate typically consists of a mixture of proteins, white blood cells, and other cellular debris that is a result of inflammation. It forms as a means for the body to respond to infection or injury, serving to isolate the affected area from the rest of the body and facilitate healing. This fluid can contain different types of cells and can vary in appearance, including being purulent (pus-like) or serous (clear and thin).

The other terms listed do not accurately describe this phenomenon. A gummma refers to a specific type of soft tissue lesion associated with syphilis, while resolution pertains to the process of recovery and restoration of tissue to its normal state after inflammation. Repair generally refers to the healing process following an injury or infection but does not specifically denote the fluid that collects during that process. Hence, exudate is the most precise term for the thick liquid observed around an infection site.