Abstract: The invention relates to a panel element comprising a use side, a counter draw opposite the use side, a first side having a tongue, and a second side, which is opposite the first side and which has a slot that is complementary to the tongue. The tongue has a connecting element, which extends essentially perpendicular to the use side and whose cross-section has a first flank and a second flank that is located opposite the first flank. The cross-section of the connecting element has a center line running perpendicular to the use surface. In a first section (45) of the connecting element (4), when viewing in the direction of the use side (11), the slope of the first flank (41) and of the second flank (42) points outward from the center line (44) and the slope of the second flank (42) points toward the center line (44). The distance between the first flank (41) and the second flank (42) decreases perpendicular to the center line (44).