A tubular drill string element (3) is provided. The tubular drill string element (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical body (12) and two connectors (4, 5). Each connector is arranged at an end of the body and provided with a threaded portion (18, 19) suitable for being connected to a complementary element. At least one of the two connectors is provided with a lifting surface (22) suitable for engaging with a lifting tool of the element with a view to the assembly of same in a drill string. The tubular drill string element (3) is characterized in that the lifting surface has a non-circular transverse section forming an activation area (24) for a drilling fluid.