An electron emission element includes a substrate, a base electrode formed on the substrate, an emitter connecting portion formed on a part of the base electrode, and an emitter formed on the emitter connecting portion and having a wedge. The wedge of the emitter has a mesa shape in section. The wedge of the emitter has an upper surface and a lower surface which is wider than the upper surface. The wedge of the emitter has an edge provided with a lower corner of an acute angle in section. The electron emission element further includes an insulating layer formed on the substrate and spaced from the wedge of the emitter by a given gap, and a control electrode formed on the insulating layer for enabling electrons to be emitted from the edge of the emitter. The wedge of the emitter may have an inverted-mesa shape.