Gray rami communicantes from ganglia of the sympathetic trunk connect with each of the anterior rami and carry postganglionic sympathetic fibers destined for the periphery to the somatic nerves (Fig. 5.62). In addition, special visceral nerves (pelvic splanchnic nerves) originating from S2 to S4 deliver preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the pelvic part of the prevertebral plexus (Figs. 5.60 and 5.61).