Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Biology / Difference Between Epithelialization and Granulation

Difference Between Epithelialization and Granulation

May 30, 2019 Posted by Dr.Samanthi

The key difference between epithelialization and granulation is that epithelialization is a part of wound healing which forms a new epithelial surface on the open wound while granulation is the process of forming new connective tissue and blood vessels during wound healing.

Epithelialization and granulation are two processes linked to wound healing. Epithelialization covers ruptured epithelial surfaces. Hence, it creates a barrier to cover the wound and prevents the entering of microorganisms and other pathogenic substances. On the other hand, granulation forms new connective tissue and blood vessels to fill the wound completely. Thus, both epithelialization and granulation are important processes.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Epithelialization 
3. What is Granulation
4. Similarities Between Epithelialization and Granulation
5. Side by Side Comparison – Epithelialization vs Granulation in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Epithelialization?

Epithelialization is the process of covering open wounds with new epithelial surfaces. Hence, it is an essential process in wound healing. Moreover, this process involves both molecular and cellular processes. They are responsible for the initiation, maintenance, and completion of epithelialization. Thus, this results in successful closure of wounds, creating a barrier between the wound and the external environment.

Difference Between Epithelialization and Granulation

Figure 01: Wound Healing Process

Absence of epithelialization results in improper wound healing. Therefore, causing wound infection, later leading to critical clinical consequences known as chronic wounds. In chronic wounds, re-epithelialization doesn’t take place. Moreover, failure in maintenance keratinocyte barrier contributes to the reoccurrence of wounds. Research in epithelialization process helps to provide new therapeutic approaches in wound healing.

What is Granulation?

Granulation or granulation tissue is a new connective tissue that forms during the wound healing. The connective tissue contains microscopic blood vessels. Hence, granulation is a process of forming new connective tissue, covering the wound surface. Granulation occurs from the base of the wound. Hence, it has the capacity to fill wounds of any size.

Key Difference - Epithelialization vs Granulation

Figure 02: Granulation

During the migratory phase of wound healing, granulation tissue appears in dark pink/ light red colour and is moist, bumpy and soft to touch. It consists of a tissue matrix with different types of cells. These cells help in the formation of extracellular matrix or in immunity and vascularization.  The tissue matrix of granulation tissue consists of fibroblasts. The major immune cells present in the granulation tissue include macrophages and neutrophils.

What are the Similarities Between Epithelialization and Granulation?

  • Both epithelialization and granulation are two processes of wound healing.
  • Both processes use different types of cells for wound healing.
  • Moreover, they prevent the occurrence of chronic wounds and other clinical problems associating wounds.
  • Also, they occur immediately after rupturing of epithelia and other tissues during a wound.

What is the Difference Between Epithelialization and Granulation?

Epithelialization is a process of covering wound surfaces while granulation is a process of forming new connective tissue during the wound healing. So, this is the key difference between epithelialization and granulation. Granulation involves different cells, including immune cells (macrophages and neutrophils) and fibroblast cells. But epithelization involves only keratinocytes.

Moreover, a further difference between epithelialization and granulation is that granulation occurs from the base of the wound, while epithelialization occurs at the wound surface.

The below info-graphic presents more information regarding the difference between epithelialization and granulation.

Difference Between Epithelialization and Granulation in Tabular Form

Summary – Epithelialization vs Granulation

Both epithelialization and granulation are two processes in wound healing. Epithelialization covers wound surfaces with keratinocytes whilst granulation forms new connective tissue from the base of the wound. So, this is the key difference between epithelialization and granulation. Also, in chronic wounds, re-epithelialization doesn’t take place. In summarizing the difference between epithelialization and granulation, granulation involves many cells, including immune cells and fibroblasts, while epithelialization involves only one major type of cell – keratinocytes.

Reference:

1. “Granulation Tissue: Definition, Function & Structure.” Biology Dictionary, 1 July 2017, Available here.
2. Pastar, Irena, et al. “Epithelialization in Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review.” Advances in Wound Care, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1 July 2014, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Wound healing phases” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (from the template Logarithmic time scale – milliseconds to years.svg) (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Granulation tissue in an infected wound, HE 2” By Patho – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Saprotrophs and SaprophytesDifference Between Saprotrophs and Saprophytes Difference Between Osmoregulation and ThermoregulationDifference Between Osmoregulation and Thermoregulation Difference Between Euryhaline and StenohalineDifference Between Euryhaline and Stenohaline Key Difference Between Peristalsis and AntiperistalsisDifference Between Peristalsis and Antiperistalsis Difference Between Spore and Vegetative CellDifference Between Spore and Vegetative Cell

Filed Under: Biology

About the Author: Dr.Samanthi

Dr.Samanthi Udayangani holds a B.Sc. Degree in Plant Science, M.Sc. in Molecular and Applied Microbiology, and PhD in Applied Microbiology. Her research interests include Bio-fertilizers, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Molecular Microbiology, Soil Fungi, and Fungal Ecology.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Scaffold and Industrial Piercing

Difference Between Scaffold and Industrial Piercing

Difference Between Pelican and Puffin Crossing

Difference Between Amused and Bemused

Difference Between Positive and Negative Zeta Potential

Difference Between Positive and Negative Zeta Potential

Difference Between Latent and Persistent Viral Infection

Difference Between Latent and Persistent Viral Infection

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Diphtheria and Whooping Cough
  • What is the Difference Between Polyester and Satin
  • What is the Difference Between Syphilis and Gonorrhea
  • What is the Difference Between Stainless Steel and Sterling Silver
  • What is the Difference Between Infrared and Induction Cooker
  • What is the Difference Between Polyester and Viscose
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.