Physical therapy school throws a lot of information at you fast. Mnemonics are one of the few shortcuts that actually hold up in clinical practice, not just on exams.
This guide covers the most useful PT mnemonics organized by topic. If you’re studying for the NPTE or trying to lock in clinical anatomy, start here.
Brachial Plexus
Structure: Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches
“Real Texans Drink Cold Beer”
- Roots (C5–T1)
- Trunks (upper, middle, lower)
- Divisions (anterior, posterior)
- Cords (lateral, posterior, medial)
- Branches (terminal nerves)
Terminal branches:
“My Aunt Really Makes Unique”
- Musculocutaneous
- Axillary
- Radial
- Median
- Ulnar
Carpal Bones
Proximal row (lateral to medial): Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
Distal row (lateral to medial): Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate
“Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle”
- Scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetrum
- Pisiform
- Trapezium
- Trapezoid
- Capitate
- Hamate
Rotator Cuff
“SITS”
- Supraspinatus — initiates abduction (0–15°)
- Infraspinatus — external rotation
- Teres minor — external rotation
- Subscapularis — internal rotation
Three of the four muscles are external rotators or abductors. Subscapularis is the exception. It’s also the second most commonly torn rotator cuff muscle after supraspinatus.
Nerve Roots and Reflexes
Key anchors:
- “C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive” — phrenic nerve origin
- L4 = kick a four-legged table = knee jerk (patellar reflex)
- S1 = push off the floor = ankle jerk (Achilles reflex)
| Level | Sensation | Motor | Reflex |
|---|---|---|---|
| L3 | Anterior thigh, medial knee | Quad weakness | Patellar (partial) |
| L4 | Medial leg to big toe | Foot dorsiflexion | Patellar |
| L5 | Lateral leg, dorsum of foot | Great toe extension (EHL) | Medial hamstring |
| S1 | Lateral foot, small toe | Plantarflexion | Achilles |
Shoulder Instability
TUBS vs. AMBRI — two distinct patterns of glenohumeral instability:
TUBS:
- Traumatic onset
- Unilateral
- Bankart lesion
- Surgery often required
AMBRI:
- Atraumatic onset
- Multidirectional
- Bilateral laxity
- Rehabilitation first
- Inferior capsular shift if surgery is needed
Cranial Nerves
Names (I–XII):
“On Old Olympus Towering Top, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops”
I Olfactory, II Optic, III Oculomotor, IV Trochlear, V Trigeminal, VI Abducens, VII Facial, VIII Vestibulocochlear, IX Glossopharyngeal, X Vagus, XI Spinal Accessory, XII Hypoglossal
Type (S = sensory, M = motor, B = both):
“Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Business Makes Money”
I-S, II-S, III-M, IV-M, V-B, VI-M, VII-B, VIII-S, IX-B, X-B, XI-M, XII-M
Salter-Harris Fractures
“SALTR”
- Straight across the physis (Type I)
- Above — through physis and metaphysis (Type II, most common)
- Lower — through physis and epiphysis (Type III)
- Through — all three layers (Type IV)
- Rammed — crush injury to physis (Type V, worst prognosis)
Injury Management
RICE (original): Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
POLICE (updated):
- Protection
- Optimal Loading — replaces rest; controlled movement speeds recovery
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
PEACE & LOVE (2019, British Journal of Sports Medicine):
- Protection, Elevation, Avoid anti-inflammatory modalities, Compression, Education
- Load, Optimism, Vascularization, Exercise
Clinical Frameworks
SOAP Notes: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
ABCDE (trauma/emergency): Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neuro status), Exposure
UMN vs. LMN:
- Upper motor neuron: spasticity, hyperreflexia, clonus
- Lower motor neuron: flaccidity, hyporeflexia, atrophy
Looking for a quick reference list? See our Medical Mnemonics for Physical Therapy page.