What term describes hairlike processes projecting from epithelial cells?

The term that describes hairlike processes projecting from epithelial cells is "cilia." Cilia are small, hair-like structures that can be found on the surface of certain epithelial cells. They play a crucial role in various biological functions, including the movement of fluids across the epithelial surface and the clearing of mucus and debris from the respiratory tract. Cilia facilitate movement by beating in coordinated waves, which is essential for maintaining proper respiratory function and overall cellular health.

The other terms listed refer to different anatomical structures or conditions. For example, the cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that helps to focus light, the cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear involved in hearing, and a cataract refers to a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. None of these terms pertain to the hairlike processes on epithelial cells. This highlights the specificity of the term "cilia" in relation to cellular structures.