I find that I have the same problem sometimes as well.
The replacement technique (if I understand you correctly) works best for me if I say the word out loud. Then I try to catch the first word(s) that pop into my head that sound even remotely like the term I'm trying to peg.
For example: I had to memorize that the lemniscal tract (a part of your central nervous system) carries mechanosensory information (information about touch and where your body parts are). So when I said lemniscal out loud, I thought of lemmings (like that old video game) and a skull. So I pegged "mechanics" (people who fix things) to zombie lemmings. The picture is actually zombie lemmings with wrenches.
Sorry for using such an arcane example, but hopefully the point still makes sense.
I'm still working with these concepts too: it's sort of a trial by fire.
Good luck with your studies!
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