A bipolar plate, which forms a first polar plate of a first base element of a fuel cell and a second polar plate of a second base element adjacent to the first base element of the fuel cell, includes two parallel plates. Each plate of the parallel plates includes at least one distribution channel formed in a thickness thereof, for distributing fuel or oxidant. The bipolar plate further includes a manifold to supply fuel and/or oxidant, with the manifold being structured to communicate with an interior portion of the bipolar plate through openings. One of the parallel plates includes a cut-out formed therein, so as to allow a gas located in the manifold to enter the at least one distribution channel via the openings and the cut-out.