Final answer:
The left and right sides of the nasal cavity are divided by the nasal septum, which is made up of bone and cartilage, including the septal cartilage, the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, and the vomer bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nasal septum is comprised of bone and cartilage; anteriorly it is formed by septal cartilage, which is the flexible part you can touch with your fingers. Posteriorly, it includes the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and the vomer bone. Their combined structure separates the nasal cavity into two halves. Additionally, the nasal cavity includes structures called nasal conchae, which are bony projections on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. There are three conchae – the superior, middle, and inferior. The primary function of these conchae is to increase the surface area for air to get warmed and cleaned as it travels through the nasal passages.