Phials

Phials are small containers, typically made of glass or plastic, used to hold liquids such as medicines, tinctures, or chemical solutions. The term phial (or phiale in Greek-derived forms) is often used interchangeably with vial, though historical usage tends to emphasize sealed or closure-ready bottles used for dosage.

Materials and design: Most phials are glass, sometimes amber or cobalt blue to protect contents from light; plastic versions exist for less fragile contents. They have a narrow mouth with a stopper, cork, or screw-cap closure. Many are color-coded or labeled for contents and dosage. Common sizes range from less than 1 milliliter to several tens of milliliters.

Applications: In medicine and pharmacology, phials store liquids such as tinctures, solutions, or vaccines in small, dose-specific quantities. In laboratories, they hold reagents, samples, or standards. Historically, apothecaries used distinct phials for different preparations; today the term is sometimes used interchangeably with vial in pharmaceutical packaging.

Etymology and terminology: The word derives from Latin phiala, via Greek phialē, meaning a bottle. In modern packaging, terms like vial or ampoule specify closure type, seal integrity, and whether the container is designed to be sealed after opening.