This work focuses on the morphology of the medial mandibular ramus as its topography reflects changing relationships within the Hominoidea between the midface, mandible, cranial base, and neck. Specifically, it focuses on a mandibular minus character state, the ‘medial pterygoid tubercle’ (MPT), as its usage raises broad issues related to interpreting osseous morphology in ontogenetic, taxonomic, and phylogenetic contexts. Knowledge of how bony topography arises and is maintained throughout ontogeny has direct relevance to all analyses of skeletal remains. The study thus demonstrates how an expanded emphasis on understanding ontogeny and variation throughout growth will provide an improved basis for the taxonomic study and significantly expanded understanding of the phylogenetic history of hominids.