What role does granulation tissue play in the healing process?

Granulation tissue plays a crucial role in the healing process by filling in the wound space. This tissue is a new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form on the surface of a wound during the healing phase. The formation of granulation tissue is essential because it provides a matrix for new cells to grow and helps to bridge the gap in the injury.

As granulation tissue develops, it serves not only to fill the defect but also supports the growth of skin cells over the wound, ultimately leading to closure and repair of the torn tissue. Furthermore, this tissue is rich in blood vessels, which supply essential nutrients and oxygen to the surrounding tissue, facilitating recovery.

In contrast, preventing infection, causing inflammation, and reducing blood flow are not primary functions of granulation tissue. These functions relate to different aspects of the body's healing responses, where preventing infection is more about the immune response, inflammation helps to signal healing processes, and blood flow dynamics are influenced by several factors during injury and repair.