LEFUEL, le-fwell, HECTOR MARTIN (1810-Sl). A French architect, born at Versailles. He re ceived instruction from his father and lluyot before he entered the E•ole des Beaux-Arts, where lie won the Prix de Rome in 1839. His principal works were the buildings connecting the Louvre with the Tuileries. He succeeded Vis conti (1854) as architect for this important structure, and somewhat modified his plans.
He was elected a member of the Institute in 1S55. Other works of Lefuel are the national porcelain factories at Sevres and the theatre in the Chateau of Fontainebleau.
LEG (from Med. leggr, leg, Dan. law, Swed. Mg, calf of the leg). That part of the lower ex tremity which lies between the knee and the ankle. It consists of two bones, the tibia and fibula (see SKELETON, FOOT ) , and of masses of muscles (together with nerves and vessels) which arc held in their position by coverings of fascia, and are enveloped in the general integu ment.
The shaft of the tibia is of a triangular pris moid form, and presents three surfaces and three borders. The internal surface is smooth, convex, and broader above than below; except at its upper third, it lies directly under the skin, and may be readily traced by the hand. The exter nal and the posterior surfaces are covered by numerous muscles. The muscular mass forming the calf (formed by the gastrocnemins, and plantaris muscles) is peculiar to man, and is connected with his erect attitude and his ordinary mode of progression. The anterior border of the tibia, the most prominent of the three, is popularly known as the shin, and may be traced down to the inner ankle. The fibula, or
small bone of the kg, lies on the outer surface of the tibia, and articulates with its upper and lower extremities, and with the astragalus inferiorly. It affords attachments to many of the muscles of this region. The region is nourished by the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, into which the popliteal artery separates. Both these ar teries occasionally require to be tied by the sur geon in cases of wounds or aneurism. The blood is returned toward the heart by two sets of veins—the deep. which accompany the arteries, and the superficial, which are known as the inter nal or long saphenons, and the external or short saphenous veins. These superficial veins are very liable to become permanently dilated or varicose (a condition the nature and treatment of which are considered in the article VARICOSE VEINS ) , if there is any impediment to the free transmission of the blood, or even from the mere weight of the ascending column of blood, in per SODS whose occupation requires continuous stand ing. The nerves of the leg. both sensory and mo are derived front the great sciatic nerve and from its terminal brandies. the internal popliteal and the external popliteal or peroneal nerve. In cases of fracture or broken leg, the two hones are more frequently hroken together than singly. and the most common situation is at the lower third. The tibia is more liable to fracture than the fibula. in consequence of its sustaining the whole weight of the body, while the fibula has nothing to support.