Final answer:
The nasal septum is composed of the septal cartilage (anterior), the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone (superior), and the vomer bone (inferoposterior). Together, these structures partition the nostrils and support nasal cavity functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nasal septum is the wall that separates the nasal cavity into two halves, ensuring that there's a partition between the right and left nostrils. It is composed of three main structures: septal cartilage, the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, and the vomer bone.
The septal cartilage is the flexible part at the front of the nasal septum that you can feel with your fingers. Posterior to this cartilage and forming the upper portion of the septum is the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, which is a cranial bone located just posterior to the nasal bones. Lastly, the lower and posterior parts of the septum are formed by the vomer bone, a thin bone that has a plough shape.
The relative positions of these structures are as follows: The septal cartilage is at the front, the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone sits superiorly to the septal cartilage, and the vomer bone is located inferoposteriorly, primarily forming the posterior aspect of the septum. These components fit together to create the complete nasal septum structure, dividing the nostrils and aiding in the function of the nasal cavity such as airflow regulation, humidification, and filtration.