Patented is an absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable top cover and a generally liquid impermeable outer cover. An absorbent structure is located between the top cover and the outer cover. Spaced apart continuous deposits of a barrier substance material are on the top cover in longitudinally extending bands on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the article. At least a portion of the longitudinally continuous bands overly longitudinal periphery portions of the underlying absorbent structure. Each longitudinally continuous band comprises a plurality of continuous deposits of the barrier substance including a laterally inboard continuous deposit and a laterally outboard continuous deposit. The portion of the longitudinally continuous bands overlying the absorbent structure are between about 5 mm to about 20 mm. Laterally inboard and laterally outboard spaced apart continuous deposits are spaced apart a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 mm. Longitudinally continuous bands comprise the only deposits of barrier substance material present on the top cover. The total surface area portion of the top cover is encompassed within the periphery of the top cover, and the total exposed surface area portion of the top cover is encompassed between the laterally outboard and laterally inboard continuous deposits and between the longitudinally continuous bands. The longitudinally continuous bands thus act as a fluid barrier against lateral flow of bodily fluids across the longitudinally continuous bands and are generally permeable to bodily exudates insulting the article from generally above the longitudinally continuous bands.