Osmium (from Greek á½ÏÎ¼Î® osme, smell) is a chemical element with symbol Os and atomic number 76. It is a hard, brittle, bluish-white transition metal in the platinum group that is found as a trace element in alloys, mostly in platinum ores. Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element, with a density of 7004225900000000000â 22.59 g/cm3. Its alloys with platinum, iridium, and other platinum-group metals are employed in fountain pen nibs, electrical contacts, and other applications where extreme durability and hardness are needed.
Goiter is a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. The most common cause of goiter worldwide is iodine deficiency in the diet. Goiter is often caused by (and a symptom of) hyperthyroidism in the United States, where iodized salt provides plenty of iodine.
1 Often, solid components are mixed with fluid in thyroid cysts. 2  Cysts are usually benign, but they occasionally contain malignant solid components. 3  Chronic inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis). 4  Hashimoto's disease, a thyroid disorder, can cause thyroid inflammation resulting in nodular enlargement. Goiter is a term used to describe any enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can be caused by iodine deficiency or a thyroid disorder. 2  A multinodular goiter contains multiple distinct nodules within the goiter, but its cause is less clear. 3  Thyroid cancer.