A supporting structure for concurrently supporting a plurality of vials is provided. The supporting structure includes a carrier having apertures or receptacles, into which the vials can be inserted to be supported therein on the carrier. The vials have a bottom that forms a base, a cylindrical side wall, and an annular transition region between the base and the cylindrical side wall. The carrier has a retaining protrusion at a lower end of the aperture or receptacle that extends into the respective aperture or receptacle inward in radial direction. The retaining protrusion supports the vial in cooperation with the transition region outside the base in such a manner that the bottoms or bases of the vials jut out of the apertures or receptacles of the carrier and are freely accessible from the lower side of the carrier.