Fact-Checking Policy

Every claim we publish should be something a reader can trust. This policy explains how we verify our content and what we do when we get something wrong.

Our principles

We follow three simple rules: prefer authoritative, mainstream sources; explain the mainstream scientific consensus rather than fringe claims; and be honest about uncertainty. If experts genuinely disagree or the evidence is limited, we say so instead of pretending otherwise.

Sources we rely on

When researching and verifying content, we prioritise reputable public-interest and scientific sources, including:

• MedlinePlus and the U.S. National Library of Medicine
• The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• National health services such as the UK's NHS
• Peer-reviewed research and established anatomy & physiology textbooks

We avoid using anonymous blogs, promotional pages or sources with a commercial stake as the basis for factual claims.

Our verification process

Each piece of content moves through the following checks before and after publication:

1. Research: the writer gathers information from multiple reputable sources.
2. Drafting: claims are written in plain language, with figures and mechanisms cross-checked.
3. Editorial review: an editor checks the piece for accuracy, balance, clarity and anything that could mislead.
4. Consistency check: we confirm the content agrees with the rest of the site and with current mainstream understanding.
5. Ongoing review: published content is revisited periodically and updated as needed.

How we handle numbers and "facts"

Human biology is full of memorable figures — "37 trillion cells", "206 bones", "100,000 heartbeats a day". Many of these are approximations or averages that vary between individuals and sources. We present them as the useful estimates they are, and we avoid false precision.

Uncertainty and evolving science

Science changes. What is well established today may be refined tomorrow. Where a topic is actively debated or still being researched, we describe the current understanding and flag that it may change, rather than presenting it as settled fact.

Corrections

Despite our best efforts, errors can slip through. When we find one — or a reader reports one — we verify it and correct the content promptly. Meaningful corrections are reflected in the page's "last updated" date. Please report any suspected error via our contact page, telling us the page and the specific concern.

Independence

Our fact-checking is never influenced by advertisers or commercial partners. The only goal is accuracy. For more on how advertising and editorial content are kept separate, see our Editorial Policy.