Understanding the Actual Structure of an LBO

I'm a bit unclear on how an actual LBO is structured. From what I understand, the PE firm doesn't directly buy the target, but rather uses a shell company of sorts to do it, with the debt going on the books of the target? 

Does this mean that a ShellCo is formed, raises debt from investors, and the Sponsor invests in the ShellCo's equity? And then, ShellCo merges with TargetCo, meaning ShellCo's debt is now on TargetCo's books?

Sorry if it sounds like a juvenile question, I've got an extracurricular event coming up on M&A and I'm only a freshman, and just want to understand how an LBO actually works. Thanks!

 

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