  Tensor models and, more generally, group field theories are candidates for
higher-dimensional quantum gravity, just as matrix models are in the 2d
setting. With the recent advent of a 1/N-expansion for coloured tensor models,
more focus has been given to the study of the topological aspects of their
Feynman graphs. Crucial to the aforementioned analysis were certain subgraphs
known as bubbles and jackets. We demonstrate in the 3d case that these graphs
are generated by matrix models embedded inside the tensor theory. Moreover, we
show that the jacket graphs represent (Heegaard) splitting surfaces for the
triangulation dual to the Feynman graph. With this in hand, we are able to
re-express the Boulatov model as a quantum field theory on these Riemann
surfaces.
