PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is a characteristic of granulation tissue during the epithelialization phase?

1. It is avascular

2. It is primarily composed of fat cells

3. It plays a key role in organizing healing processes

4. It indicates infection

The correct answer is: It plays a key role in organizing healing processes

Granulation tissue is a highly vascularized connective tissue that forms during the healing process, particularly in the epithelialization phase. It is characterized by its rich supply of blood vessels, which help deliver nutrients and oxygen essential for healing. The tissue is composed of a mixture of fibroblasts, collagen, inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells. During the epithelialization phase, granulation tissue plays a critical role in organizing the healing processes by providing a scaffold for the migration of epithelial cells, which then cover the wound. This tissue not only supports the overlying epithelium but also produces signaling molecules that signal for further repair processes and attract necessary cells for tissue regeneration. Therefore, it is integral to the transition from the inflammatory phase to the proliferation phase in wound healing. In contrast, the presence of avascular tissue is not characteristic of granulation tissue, as a lack of blood supply would hinder healing rather than promote it. Similarly, granulation tissue is not primarily composed of fat cells, which are associated with adipose tissue rather than wound healing. While granulation tissue can sometimes be confused with signs of infection due to its color and texture, it is a normal part of healing, and its presence does not indicate infection.