Musk is a raw material that is used in perfumes. It is formed in a gland in the abdomen of the male musk deer, an animal that lives high in central, eastern, and northeastern Asia. When the gland is dried, the musk forms into grains. The perfume ingredient is an oil that is removed from the grains with alcohol. People have hunted musk deer for their scent glands since ancient times. In 1934, scientists developed a synthetic form that has largely replaced natural musk.
