PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the main activity during the epithelialization and neovascularization stage?

1. Wound contraction

2. Granulation tissue formation

3. Scab formation

4. Inflammation resolution

The correct answer is: Granulation tissue formation

The main activity during the epithelialization and neovascularization stage of wound healing is the formation of granulation tissue. This stage occurs after the inflammatory phase and is crucial for restoring the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues. During this period, fibroblasts proliferate and migrate into the wound site, producing collagen and extracellular matrix components, which are essential for the structural framework of new tissue. Concurrent with granulation tissue formation is neovascularization, which involves the growth of new blood vessels to supply the increasing metabolic needs of the healing tissue. This process brings essential nutrients, oxygen, and immune cells to the wound site, facilitating further healing and the eventual contraction and closure of the wound. Epithelialization occurs simultaneously, where keratinocytes migrate across the wound bed to cover the new granulation tissue, creating a new epithelial layer. This combination of activities is vital for effective wound healing, transforming the wound environment to promote healing and prevent infection. Understanding that granulation tissue lays the foundation for these processes helps emphasize its primary role in the healing cycle, linking regeneration and increased vascularity as pivotal mechanisms in restoring tissue architecture and function.