A separation technique in which the stationary bed is within a tube. The particles
of the solid stationary phase or support coated with a liquid stationary phase may
fill the whole inside volume of the tube (packed column) or be concentrated on or
along the inside tube wall leaving an open, unrestricted path for the mobile phase
in the middle part of the tube (open-tubular column).
Source:
PAC, 1993, 65, 819
(Nomenclature for chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1993))
on page 825