Which type of wound healing is characterized by granulation tissue forming?

Wound healing by secondary intention is distinguished by the formation of granulation tissue. This process occurs when a wound is left open to heal naturally instead of being closed with sutures or staples. Granulation tissue is a vital part of this healing pathway, consisting of new connective tissue and blood vessels that form on the surface of a wound during the healing process.

In secondary intention, the wound heals from the bottom up and from the edges inward, which provides an opportunity for the formation of granulation tissue, essential for filling in the wound bed and protecting against infection. The granulation tissue eventually matures and can be transformed into scar tissue over time.

In contrast, primary intention involves wounds that are closed directly, which typically do not allow for granulation tissue formation as the edges of the wound are brought together. Tertiary intention, or delayed primary closure, allows for some granulation tissue formation as well, but is specifically characterized by the intentional delay in closure to reduce the risk of infection. Contraction healing primarily refers to the process of wound edges drawing together as a result of the action of myofibroblasts and does not emphasize the formation of granulation tissue as a defining characteristic. Hence, secondary intention is the best choice to describe