A thin-film magnetic head includes an upper core layer and a lower core layer, extending from a back region to a magnetic pole region, and ends thereof being disposed at a medium-opposing face; a gap layer disposed in the magnetic pole region between the upper core layer and the lower core layer; a groove formed in an insulating layer formed on the lower core layer, the groove extending from the medium-opposing face in the magnetic pole region to the back region; and a lower magnetic pole layer, the gap layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer in the groove. In the thin-film magnetic head, the lower magnetic pole layer and the lower core layer are connected to each other, the upper magnetic pole layer and the upper core layer are connected to each other, and the groove comprises a groove body portion which has a cross-sectional size approximately equivalent to that of an opening of the groove at the medium-opposing face and extends in the magnetic pole region, and a groove-continuing portion which continues from the groove body portion and extends in the back region.