Patent ID: 8310805

Claim:
A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a ceramic body including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, a first side surface and a second side surface opposing each other and connecting the first principal surface to the second principal surface and a third side surface and a fourth side surface opposing each other and connecting the first principal surface to the second principal surface and the ceramic body including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers; an inner conductor provided in the ceramic body, the inner conductor including an exposed portion having a width on at least the first side surface; and an external terminal electrode provided on at least the first side surface, the external terminal electrode being electrically connected to the inner conductor; wherein the external terminal electrode includes a base plating film that is directly plated on at least the first side surface so as to directly contact and cover the exposed portion of the inner conductor; voids are provided in a discontinuous manner at a periphery of the inner conductor at which the inner conductor contacts a respective one of the plurality of stacked ceramic layers; at least one of the voids is open to at least the first side surface of the ceramic body; the at least one of the voids is arranged adjacent to the exposed portion of the inner conductor in a direction connecting the third side surface to the fourth side surface; and a plating metal defining the base plating film is disposed in the at least one of the voids that is open to at least the first side surface of the ceramic body, is not disposed in any of the voids other than the at least one of the voids that is open to at least the first side surface of the ceramic body, and is electrically connected to the inner conductor in the ceramic body.