A wound dressing includes an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces and an array of receptacles formed therein. A liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer is connected to at least a portion of the distal surface of the absorbent core. The receptacles open at the distal surface of the absorbent core and extend a distance into the thickness of the absorbent core. Each receptacle contains a plurality of discrete portions of absorbent material. The backing layer is configured to be sufficiently distensible to permit expansion and migration of at least some of the discrete portions of absorbent material from the receptacles upon absorption of exudate by the wound dressing.