Which of the following best describes secondary intention healing?

Secondary intention healing is characterized by granulation tissue filling in defects as part of the healing process. This type of healing occurs when a wound cannot be easily approximated, meaning the edges of the wound do not fit together neatly. Instead, the body relies on the natural healing processes to close the wound.

In secondary intention healing, the wound is allowed to remain open, and granulation tissue forms from the base of the wound upwards. This granulation tissue is rich in new blood vessels and is essential for healing because it eventually undergoes remodeling to become scar tissue. This process can take a longer time compared to primary intention healing, where wound edges are brought together directly, such as with sutures.

The other options reference aspects associated with primary intention healing, where wounds have edges that can be approximated and closed using sutures or adhesive materials. In contrast, secondary intention focuses on the body’s intrinsic healing activities aimed at filling the wound from within rather than drawing the edges together.