Iliac blood vessel surgery. Historical artwork of the techniques used to expose the iliac (groin) blood vessels during surgery. The skin (pink) and fat layer (yellow) are shown. Below these, the muscles (red) and fascia (connective tissue membranes, white) have also been dissected, including the deep layer of the peritoneum (abdominal wall). The intestines (brown) have been pulled to one side, revealing the deep-seated iliac blood vessels. Shown here are the right iliac artery (red) and vein (blue). The artery supplies blood to the leg under high pressure from the aorta, the body's main artery. Damage to the iliac blood vessels can be swiftly fatal due to massive blood loss. Artwork from Atlas and Epitome of Operative Surgery (1898, Otto Zuckerkandl).