What is the primary purpose of the nasal septum?

The primary purpose of the nasal septum is to separate the nasal cavities. It is a vertical partition made up of bone and cartilage that divides the nose into two halves, allowing for the independent function of each nasal passage. This separation helps to ensure efficient airflow and can aid in the proper functioning of the respiratory system by directing airflow more effectively, improving the ability to filter, warm, and humidify the air we breathe.

While the other options relate to functions associated with the nasal passages, they do not represent the primary structural role of the nasal septum itself. Support of the nasal structure is important but is more a function of the overall bony and cartilaginous framework. The warming and humidifying of air are processes that occur in the nasal passages as a whole, rather than being specific to the septum. Housing olfactory receptors is also more broadly related to the nasal cavity as a whole, as the receptors are located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, rather than being a direct function of the septum.