What is granulation tissue's role during fracture healing?

Granulation tissue plays a crucial role in the fracture healing process, particularly during the inflammatory and repair phases. After a fracture occurs, a blood clot forms at the injury site, which provides a temporary matrix for cell migration. Granulation tissue, which consists of new connective tissue and tiny blood vessels, replaces the initial blood clot.

This new tissue is vital because it serves multiple functions: it enhances the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the area through the new blood vessels, facilitates the migration of cells necessary for repair, and provides a scaffold for the subsequent formation of new bone. As healing progresses, granulation tissue will eventually be replaced by cartilage and then bone, leading to the restoration of the bone structure.

The other choices do not accurately describe the role of granulation tissue. It is not a permanent solution, nor does it form the outer layer of the healed bone, nor does it connect muscle to bone. Instead, its primary role is temporary, focused on replacing the initial blood clot and facilitating the healing process.