Final answer:
The hair-like structures that trap and remove pathogens from the body's mucous membranes are called cilia. They are part of the body's mucociliary escalator system, which sweeps away trapped particles and pathogens to be expelled or swallowed.
Step-by-step explanation:
What are the Tiny Hair-Like Structures Trapping Pathogens?
The tiny hair-like structures lining your body’s mucous membranes which trap and remove pathogens are known as cilia. These structures are found in the lining of various parts of the body, such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts. The mucous membranes which line these tracts secrete mucus, a sticky substance that captures pathogens. Cilia then move the mucus, now laden with trapped pathogens, toward body openings where it can be removed through actions such as sneezing, coughing, or swallowing.
Ciliated epithelium is especially important in the respiratory system, where it forms a mucociliary escalator. This escalator continuously sweeps mucus and trapped particles upward towards the throat. In the nasal passages, the cilia work to push this mucus blanket down towards the throat as well. Ultimately, the mucus, along with its trapped pathogens, is either expelled from the body or swallowed and destroyed by the acidic environment of the stomach.