American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test

What replaces the blood clot during the fracture healing process?

1. Granulation tissue

2. Scar tissue

3. Fibrous tissue

4. Cartilage

The correct answer is: Granulation tissue

During the fracture healing process, granulation tissue plays a crucial role as it replaces the initial blood clot. After a fracture occurs, the body responds by forming a blood clot at the injury site, which serves to stabilize the fracture and prevent blood loss. As healing progresses, the blood clot is gradually replaced by granulation tissue. This type of tissue is characterized by a network of collagen and new blood vessels, which create a scaffold for further healing. Granulation tissue is essential because it facilitates the next stages of healing, including the formation of callus, where the fracture gap is bridged by new bone tissue. It also provides a rich supply of nutrients and oxygen necessary for the repair process. The presence of this tissue indicates a shift from the inflammatory phase to the more reparative phase of healing, which is critical for restoring the integrity of the bone. While other options such as scar tissue, fibrous tissue, and cartilage can all be part of the broader healing process, they do not specifically replace the blood clot as granulation tissue does. Scar tissue often forms later in the healing timeline as part of the stabilization but does not directly serve to replace the clot in the initial stages. Fibrous tissue may contribute to the formation of a fibrous union