Total mesorectal excision (TME). Artwork of the pelvis and the area of the colon and rectum that is removed in total mesorectal excision, a surgical technique used in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The rectum and part of the colon are at lower centre, with a malignant tumour shown at left on the wall of the bowel. TME is one of the most effective treatments for this cancer. Also shown are the bones of the pelvis, nerves (yellow) and arteries (red) and veins (blue). The large abdominal vein (inferior vena cava) and artery (descending aorta, red) branch within the pelvis to form the iliac arteries and veins.