Abstract: The present disclosure describes absorbent articles including absorbent cores. An absorbent core is positioned between a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impermeable backsheet and includes a central channel and one or more lateral channels extending from the central channel. The channels are substantially free of absorbent material. The absorbent core may include embossed elements and/or regions and the channels may be positioned between the embossed regions. Some implementations include an additional absorbent core positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet. The additional absorbent core includes one or more embossed pathways. The embossed pathways of the additional absorbent core may overlie the channels of the absorbent core.