A disc brake is proposed having a brake calliper (1) which reaches over a brake disc (2) and brake linings (3) which are arranged on the two sides thereof and are composed in each case of a friction lining (4) and a rear plate (5), and having a hold-down (7) which runs transversely over the brake linings (3) and is supported against the brake linings towards the disc brake axis (A). The circumferential contour of the rear plate (5) of at least one of the brake linings is defined by an upper edge (21), a lower edge (22) and two side edges (23A, 23B) which extend between the upper and the lower edge. The circumferential contour of the friction lining (4) is also defined by an upper edge (31), a lower edge and two side edges which extend between the upper and the lower edge. In order to make a contribution to the solution of the problem of the structural tightness between the components of the disc brake and the vehicle wheel which rotates around the brake, the main course of the upper edges (21 and 31) of the rear plate (5) and the friction lining (4) where the hold-down (7) runs over the brake lining (3) is interrupted by a recessed portion (25 and 35) of the upper edge (21 and 31) in the direction of the brake disc axis (A).