Abstract: A hydrodynamic axial bearing for mounting a shaft which is mounted rotatably in a bearing housing, including an axial stop of the bearing housing and a bearing comb which rotates with the shaft. A lubricating gap, which is loaded with lubricating oil and is delimited by a profiled circular ring face and a sliding face, being formed between the axial stop and the bearing comb. The profiled circular ring face and the sliding face are configured in such a way that the lubricating gap is constricted radially to the outside with regard to the axial direction. As a result, temperature deformations which occur during operation and deformations on account of centrifugal, shearing and other forces in the bearing comb can be compensated for.