The invention relates to a lancet, which has a lancet tip at a front end and which on an upper face comprises a contact surface for placing a test element thereon and at least one channel for receiving a sample, wherein an upwardly open section of the channel runs in the contact surface. According to the invention, the channel has another upwardly open channel section which runs on the upper face of the lancet in or adjacent to a surface area that is lower than the contact surface, wherein the contact surface is arranged between the lancet tip and the lower surface area. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a lancet and a test element, and to a method for transferring a liquid sample from a channel of a lancet which is designed as a groove or slot to a test element.
