Patented recently is an absorbent article having a center absorbent element on a backsheet. The center absorbent element has a center absorbent sheet covered with a center topsheet. The center absorbent sheet is formed with a plurality of projections, wherein longitudinal guide grooves are defined between transversely adjacent projections, transverse guide grooves are defined between longitudinally adjacent projections for communication between the longitudinal guide grooves. The longitudinal guide grooves are dimensioned to extend over at least two projections aligned in the longitudinal direction.