Granulation tissue
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Granulation tissue is new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form on the surfaces of a wound during the healing process.[1] Granulation tissue typically grows from the base of a wound and is able to fill wounds of almost any size. Examples of granulation tissue can be seen in pyogenic granulomas and pulp polyps. Its histological appearance is characterized by proliferation of fibroblasts and thin-walled, delicate capillaries (angiogenesis), and infiltrated inflammatory cells in a loose extracellular matrix.
Appearance
During the migratory phase of wound healing, granulation tissue is:
- light red or dark pink, being perfused with new capillary loops or "buds";
- soft to the touch;
- moist;
- bumpy (granular) in appearance, due to punctate hemorrhages;
- pulsatile on palpation;
- painless when healthy;[2]
Structure
Granulation tissue is composed of tissue matrix supporting a variety of cell types, most of which can be associated with one of the following functions:[citation needed]
- formation of extracellular matrix;
- operation of the immune system;
- vascularisation;
An excess of granulation tissue (caro luxurians) is informally referred to as "proud flesh".[3]
Extracellular matrix
The extracellular matrix of granulation tissue is created and modified by
Immunity
The main immune cells active in the tissue are
Vascularization
It is necessary for a network of blood vessels to be established as soon as possible to provide the growing tissue with nutrients, to take away cellular wastes, and transport new leukocytes to the area. Fibroblasts, the main cells that deposit granulation tissue, depend on oxygen to proliferate and lay down the new extracellular matrix.
In vascularisation, also called angiogenesis, endothelial cells quickly grow into the tissue from older, intact blood vessels. These branch out in a systematic way, forming anastomoses with other vessels.
References
- ^ "Granulation Tissue Definition". Memidex. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ISBN 9789350259443.
- ^ Healing and Repair Archived 2010-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Chapter 9 from an "Introduction to Pathology" on a Tuskegee University website
- ^ Reference list is found on image main page.