What occurs when a fibrin clot is broken down?

When a fibrin clot is broken down, granulation tissue forms as part of the healing process. This process, known as fibrinolysis, leads to the breakdown of the fibrin mesh that initially stabilized the clot. Following this breakdown, the body begins to replace the clot with granulation tissue, which is a temporary tissue composed of new capillaries, collagen, and inflammatory cells. Granulation tissue is crucial for wound healing as it provides a scaffold for tissue repair and is an essential step in transitioning from an inflammatory phase to a proliferative phase of healing.

The formation of granulation tissue indicates that the healing journey is progressing and that the body is actively working to restore normal tissue structure. This tissue ultimately serves as a foundational layer before eventual scarring and further tissue remodeling occurs.