A high-pressure discharge lamp for a vehicle headlight having a discharge vessel and electrodes arranged therein for the purpose of generating a gas discharge, the discharge vessel having a central section which is delimited by two planes which are arranged perpendicularly to the connection path of the discharge-side ends of the electrodes and each extend through the discharge-side end of one of the electrodes, wherein the volume, which is arranged in said central section and is filled by the material of the discharge vessel, is greater than or equal to 95 mm.sup.3.