If it is stock, you have the exhaust manifold which drops down to in front of the block from there you have the down pipe which curls under the block and connects to your cat via a flex joint usually. After the cat you have your piping whether cat back system or custom exhaust piping running to the rear of the car and the muffler.

If it is aftermarket you may still have a 2-piece header (manifold and down pipe) but most likely a one piece header connected to the cat via a flex joint.

The flex joint is critical, without it your exhaust piping would crack when the motor torques around.