What resolves this contention: Whether transthalamic pathways are quantitativel…

What resolves this contention: Whether transthalamic pathways are quantitatively dominant for cortico-cortical communication or merely one of several routes operating in parallel with direct corticocortical connections. / Layer-5B-driven corticothalamocortical S1→POm→S2 transmission is highly efficacious — the entire S2 response collapses (~89.8%) when thalamus is silenced. / Higher-order thalamic relays (e.g., pulvinar) sit alongside direct corticocortical pathways; whether transthalamic relays are essential vs auxiliary is left open and is to be 'explored'.