This year has seen its share of interesting photos from the medical world — many often gross or disturbing, but plenty that show just how far we've come with innovative research and our curiosity about the world around us.

Visual imagery is impactful, and often draws us closer to science. Click on the slideshow below to check out 8 images that depict this year's medical events — and our understanding of them — through scientific studies, unusual events, art photography, and even Instagram.