Final answer:
The structure in question is the inferior nasal concha, a bony plate of the skull that aids in warming, moisturizing, and filtering inhaled air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure being described is one of the nasal conchae, specifically the inferior nasal concha. This is a curved bony plate that extends medially from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. The nasal conchae, including the superior, middle, and inferior, are crucial for warming, moisturizing, and filtering the air we breathe before it reaches the lungs. The inferior nasal concha is the largest and most visible, being an independent bone, while the superior and middle conchae are part of the ethmoid bone.