A vial (also known as a phial or flacon) is a small glass or plastic vessel or bottle, often used to store medication in the form of liquids, powders, or capsules. They can also be used as scientific sample vessels; for instance, in autosampler devices in analytical chromatography.

The main difference to a test tube is that a vial is used for more permanent containment, whereas a test tube is usually used just for mixing and handling substances.

See also

• laboratory
• erlenmeyer_flask
• florence_flask
• volumetric_flask
• beaker
• vial
• retort
• petri_dish
• microscope
• bunsen_burner