Leaf (Foliation)

Let $M^n$ be an $n$-Manifold and let ${\hbox{\sf F}}=\{F_\alpha\}$ denote a Partition of $M$ into Disjoint path-connected Subsets. Then if ${\hbox{\sf F}}$ is a Foliation of $M$, each $F_\alpha$ is called a leaf and is not necessarily closed or compact.

See also Foliation

References

Rolfsen, D. Knots and Links. Wilmington, DE: Publish or Perish Press, p. 284, 1976.